How to Encourage Someone to Quit Smoking Cigars

Cigars produce more carbon monoxide than cigarettes and have more nicotine than pipes.

Once considered a status symbol of the upper class, cigar smoking was later realized to be detrimental to your overall health. It can lead to cancers of the mouth, larynx, esophagus and tongue. Despite this modern knowledge, there is an increase in cigar smoking among women and young adults. There are magazines, advertisements, celebrities and even presidents who glamorize cigar smoking. You can help your loved one quit. Take action in a non-nagging way and let the smoker know that you love him and want him to live longer.

Instructions

Help without Nagging

1. Start small. Ideally, wait until the smoker gives you an indication that he wants to quit smoking cigars. There is no way to make him quit if he has no intention or desire to do so. Once the line of conversation is open, you can give your support. Let him know that you are there for him and would love to give him suggestions or help in any way.

2. Encourage the cigar smoker to call you at any hour those first few weeks he is trying to quit. He will go through withdrawal symptoms and need someone he can count on for support. After the initial withdrawal period, keep in regular contact so he feels encouraged yet accountable. Always let him know how proud you are. Acknowledge the difficulty and self-control involved in quitting cigars.

3. Tell the smoker to stay away from stressful situations for the first month. It may be a good time to start something new that he has always been interested in, like a boxing class, art class or an adult sports league. Introducing a healthy new trend into his life can also help with any weight gain he is worried about upon quitting smoking.

4. Keep the smoker busy those first difficult weeks. Invite him over often. Watch television shows together. Cook together. Try amazing new restaurants together. Allow for mood swings and keep a positive attitude. Adding some fun during the initial transition will distract him and help the time pass faster.

Tips & Warnings

• Always have snacks available when you are together.

References

• The Ultimate Quit Smoking Guide: How to Help Someone Quit Smoking
• Clean Air Clean Lungs: The History of Cigars
• National Center for Biotechnology Information: Nicotine Addiction and Withdrawal