Helping my partner to stop smoking ?

[emmagrace96]

Hi, my partner is nearly 22 and has been smoking since he was 14, he's now finding himself short of breath and his stamina has definitely decreased, he is really healthy and a drummer so very active, but his smoking is affecting his stamina whilst drumming and exercising and he really wants to quit, but everytime he tries he gives in.

I used to smoke before I got pregnant with our first child, and then after our first child socially if we went out for a night, and then stopped completely, I never found it hard, I just stopped smoking, but I was no where near the level he is and has been, I would probably smoke 10 a week whereas now he is easily going though 2/3 packs a week, maybe 4 if he goes out with his friends for a night out, I know that Isn't a lot compared to the people who go through one, two packs a day but he's fed up and sick of it.

I'm pregnant with our second child, and our daughter is 18 months and he really wants to quit, I think our children are a incentive in it. He's tried in the past but as mentioned above he does it for a few weeks and then reverts.

Does anyone have any tips on how to help him and support him through it and how to keep him motivated because our attempts in the past haven't worked ? He's asked me to help him but I don't have a clue how too help him apart from take the cigarette off him everytime I catch him.

TIA xx

Patches really helped me. They deal with the physical need for nicotine and leave me to deal with the habitual and psychological issues. After about three weeks, I'm reducing the patches.

Thankyou @BlueDotty I'll buy him some today, worth a shot x

Definitely. They're expensive - but cheaper than fags!

Electric cigarette or vape (can reduce nicotine or start off nicotine free)

Stop smoking service (through the NHS)

Nicotine Replacement like gum, patches, lozenges, mouth spray, nasal spray, Inhalators (a lot of people get on with patches or gum but many don't get on with the first few they try)

Hypnosis

Exercise target like running, cycling, rowing etc. A lot of people I've met started with fun runs or Couch to 5k

Normal chewing gum, boiled sweets, other ways to keep mouth "busy" or things which keep the hands busy like knitting or playing games on a phone.

Mental distraction. Socialising with non smokers, reading or watching something compulsive, cleaning, whatever.

It's not easy to quite smoking, here is five steps suggestion, hope that helps. (docsbay.net/how-can-i-quit-smoking)

1. Set a Quit Date. Choose a date within the next seven days when you will quit smoking. Tell your family members and friends who are most likely to support your efforts.
2. Choose a method for quitting. There are several ways to quit smoking. Some include:

• Stop smoking all at once on your Quit Day. • Reduce the number of cigarettes per day until you stop smoking completely. • Smoke only part of your cigarette. If you use this method, you need to count how many puffs you take from each cigarette and reduce the number every two to three days.

1. Decide if you need medicines or other help to quit. Talk to your healthcare provider to discuss which medicine is best for you, and to get instructions about how to use it. These may include nicotine replacements (gum, spray, patch or inhaler) or prescription medicines such as bupropion hydrochloride or varenicline. You may also ask about referral to a smoking cessation program.
2. Plan for your Quit Day. Get rid of all cigarettes, matches, lighters, ashtrays from your house. Find healthy substitutes for smoking. Go for walks. Carry sugarless gum or mints. Munch carrots or celery sticks.
3. Stop smoking on your Quit Day.