Can you remain close to smoker friends?

You’re trying to quit smoking and your smoker friends aren’t. What do you do? Here, Nicotinell has a few tips to help maintain your friendships and achieve your quit smoking goal:

1

Communicate your quitting plans

  • Tell every one of your closest friends that you’ve decided to quit smoking and ask for their help.
  • Assure them you are not asking them to quit too.
  • Ask them not to smoke around you. Let them know that if they light up, you’ll leave.
  • Be sure to point out that you’d like your home to remain smoke-free.
  • Explain that you can only take non-smoking breaks with them.
  • Tell them not to ask you to buy, carry or hold cigarettes for anyone.

2

Determine if you can still be together during your quit

  • Do your friends make you feel good about yourself and what you’re trying to do? Or do they tease you and offer a puff or two as a joke?
  • Do they refrain from smoking and buying cigarettes when you’re together?
  • Do they keep their lighters and cigarettes out of sight?
  • Will they join you for smoke-free activities like movies instead of a bar?

3

Be ready for when a friend innocently offers you a cigarette

Have a ‘no thanks!’ response prepared. Here are a few ideas:

  • Smoking costs me a fortune each year — I’m quitting so I can afford a new car.
  • I have a new job I love and can’t smoke there, so I’d rather give up smoking.
  • I’m with someone who doesn’t like kissing a smoker.
  • No thanks, I decided I wanted to be able to taste the food I’m eating once again.

How to get started:

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