How to Support a Loved One Who is Quitting Tobacco
November is both Lung Cancer Awareness Month and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Awareness Month, two important reminders of the damage tobacco use can cause. If you have a loved one who is trying to quit smoking or using tobacco, your support can make all the difference. Quitting isn’t easy – it’s a mix of physical withdrawal, mental habit-breaking, and emotional resilience. But with the right encouragement, you can help them stay on track toward a healthier, smoke-free life.
1. Start with empathy, not lectures.
Most people who use tobacco already know the risks. Because of this, repeating statistics about cancer or lung disease can feel like a personal attack and cause your loved one to become defensive. Instead, acknowledge the challenges they are facing, and encourage them to remember their reasons for quitting. A simple, “I’m proud of you for trying,” can be far more motivating than a lecture.
2. Help them prepare for triggers.
Tobacco cravings often strike in familiar situations – after meals, during stress, or while spending time with friends who smoke. Encourage your loved one to identify their triggers and brainstorm healthier alternatives like chewing sugar-free gum, taking a walk, or practicing deep breathing. You could even show solidarity by joining them in these small rituals.
3. Celebrate progress, not perfection
Slip-ups happen, but they don’t mean failure. Quitting is a process, and setbacks are part of the journey. Instead of criticizing, remind your loved one of how far they’ve come, and encourage them to keep going. Celebrate milestones – whether it’s one day, one week, or one month tobacco-free.
4. Offer Practical Support
Sometimes encouragement goes beyond words. For example – if your loved one is using nicotine replacement therapies (like patches, lozenges, or gum) or prescription medications, offer to pick them up from the pharmacy. Suggest smoke-free activities like hiking, cooking together, or watching a movie to distract from cravings. Even small actions like these can show that you’re invested in their success.
5. Take Care of Yourself Too
Supporting someone through a major lifestyle change can be emotionally draining. Set healthy boundaries, and remember you’re a supporter, not a savior. Encourage your loved one to seek out professional help when needed – such as doctors, quitlines, or counseling services – so the responsibility doesn’t fall entirely on you.
Quitting tobacco is one of the most powerful steps a person can take to reduce their risk of lung cancer and COPD. By offering patience, encouragement, and practical support, you can help your loved one turn their intention into actions – and ultimately, into a healthier version of themselves.
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Resources:
Association, A. L. (2025, April 8). Help someone quit smoking. American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/help-someone-quit
How to help someone quit smoking. American Cancer Society. (2024, October 28). https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/guide-quitting-smoking/helping-a-smoker-quit.html
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2025, February 22). 10 Ways to Resist Tobacco Cravings. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nicotine-dependence/in-depth/nicotine-craving/art-20045454
Tips for friends and family of Quitters. www.heart.org. (2024). https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/tips-for-friends-and-family-of-quitters
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The Team at BSDI