The Benefits of Supportive Friends

          Announcing a plan to quit smoking can be a difficult one to do. However, informing friends or family about your plan of action has been shown to increase the likelihood that one will be able to quit smoking successfully!

          Support from a family member or friend can be provided in a variety of ways. If you have a friend who smokes you could ask them to not smoke around you during your process of quitting or even get them to quit smoking with you!  Having a pal who is quitting alongside you can allow you to support one another mutually and to help each other out when you feel like things are getting difficult. Studies have shown how peer influence plays a key role in someone’s decision to stop smoking. Using the buddy system to change addictive behavior actually works! It has also been proven that someone who smokes will more likely stop if a spouse, friend, co-worker or sibling did – start the trend!

          Sometimes you may come across some friends who are not ready to take the step to quit smoking themselves. This could lead them to continue smoking in front of you after you’ve requested them not to or make fun of you for being a ‘quitter’. Quitting smoking can be a stressful time and requires help from supportive friends. Maybe consider avoiding those who aren’t encouraging your decision to quit or staying away from situations that they make difficult for you until you are over the initial hump in the quitting process.

          Whether it’s face-to-face support or even an encouraging email, friends and family can contribute greatly to your success! If you are interested in more support from someone whose job is to know a lot about quitting consider talking to a campus health profession, family physician, pharmacist or even call the smokers helpline (1-877-513-5333)!

Nicotine gum: $15

Nicotine lozenges:  $30

Friends to help you quit: priceless J

         

References:

Leave the Pack Behind, Ask A Friend For Support

Friends quit smoking? You probably will too - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24759804/ns/health-addictions/t/friends-quit-smoking-you-probably-will-too/#.Tqg8dhySiH9