My husband used to smoke when we first got together.  But I never wanted to go out with a smoker.  I know it sounds harsh of me but as an asthmatic it wasn’t good for my health.  Yet you can’t help who you fall in love with.  Luckily for me he decided to quit smoking by his own accord.  We were starting a family and it was the healthier option for us all. I am saddened to hear that more people have started smoking in the pandemic.

Quitting Takes Guts

It wasn’t an easy process as he had been quite a heavy smoker.  He went cold turkey which takes incredible willpower.  It’s not easy being around someone who is wants to quit smoking, they can become quite irritable and difficult.  It helps to be supportive, they will appreciate having someone to lean on.

There are replacement therapies and products on the market from companies like Vape Town that can help during a transition, but some people like to go cold turkey from all and any products if they can make it. The right support is critical, however, so that you can help your loved one through it.

Remind your partner of all the benefits of quitting. Just make sure that all the cigarettes and lighters are kept out of sight!  It might be best to temporarily avoid social situations where they would normally smoke until they have learnt to cope without cigarettes.

My husband could have eased himself off by using e-cigarettes in the interim.  They are at the very least considered 95% less harmful than smoking.  I would have been happier for his and my health that it was a better option.  You can buy ecigarettes in lots of different flavours like this Pineapple Express ejuice which might make them more palatable so I am sure he would have liked the taste.

Although that would have only ever been a temporary solution for me, as I wanted our children growing up to see their parents don’t smoke.  As research has shown children are more likely to smoke if their parents do.

My husband is one of those ex-smokers now that can’t stand smoking.  He is probably more anti-smoking than me.  He wants to help others do the same.

Here are his top tips to quit smoking

Have distractions – something else to focus your mind on so you’re not thinking about your cravings too much!

Keep busy – find extra jobs you can do so you don’t have time to dwell on your longing for a cigarette.

Think about the money you will save – then plan a treat in the future you couldn’t have afforded if you were still smoking.  We booked a trip to Amsterdam.

Remove temptation from the house before hand

Good luck on your quitting journeys, you can do it!