what is an appropriate period of time for someone to quit smoking? three weeks, a month, 2 months? a good friend of mine (potential dating material?) smokes, and he's 24, and well, it's gross and HORRIBLE for him. it would be in his best interest to quit.. and if he's open to it, i'd like to help.

advice would be great. thanks!

 

First of all, he has to want to quit. If you force him to quit, he won't. He may stop for a little while, but he eventually restart.

 

how much does he smoke?

 

Maybe you should try getting him to cut back on them first. Also how long has he been a smoker?
Siggy said something in another quitting smoking thread that is very true:
Once a smoker, always a smoker. It took me about 2 months to completely quit without sneaking any cigarettes, but I wasn't a heavy smoker; I was ready to quit and I HAD to quit due to health problems.

 

It takes years. I quit 6 years ago and i still get the odd craving (albeit rarely). Its very common for people to quit for months and then start again.

I'd say it takes about a month to get over the physical addiction and then the rest is all phsycological.

 

well i completely understand about having to want to quit... i honestly don't know how heavy a smoker he is, b/c i am not around him all day. i just know that when he drinks, it's like 1/2 pack for the night (one cig per drink -- which is outrageous to me). if the topic comes up, i just want to know how to deal with it because i really want to help if he's willing.

 

to be honest and fair, nothing bothered me more when people told me i should quit. it was my (odd) way of dealing with anxiety and stress. i believe all smokers know that smoking is bad for them, yet they continue to do so anyway.

it is a decision he has to make.

things i did to help curb my habit. running. i hated myself for smoking after running. to replace the oral fixation, drink water. drink as much water as needed to minimize the craving.

 

quiting smoking was one of the hardest things Ive ever had to do. I basically just scared myself into doing it. But just like fdl said, I still get the craving every now and then. Its been over 4 years now. But you said it, hes got to be willing. You also just have to get yourself away from the influences too. I know thats very hard to do but I think the less you see it the less you think about it.

 

cold turkey and self control. its easier said than done.

 

interesting info...

20 MINUTES ———————————————
• Blood pressure drops to normal
• Pulse rate drops to normal
• Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal
8 HOURS ————————————————————
• Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
• Oxygen level in blood increases to normal
24 HOURS ———————————————————
• Chance of heart attack decreases
48 HOURS ———————————————————
• Nerve endings start regrowing
• Ability to smell and taste is enhanced
2 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS ————————————
• Circulation improves
• Walking becomes easier
• Lung function increases up to 30 percent
1 TO 9 MONTHS ————————————————
• Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease
• Cilia regrow in lungs, increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection
• Body's overall energy increases
1 YEAR ————————————————————
• Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker
5 YEARS ———————————————————
• Lung cancer death rate for an average former smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half
• Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker five to 15 years after quitting
• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, and esophagus is half that of a smoker's
10 YEARS ————————————————————
• Lung cancer death rate is similar to that of a non-smoker
• Precancerous cells are replaced
• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, cervix, and pancreas decreases
15 YEARS ———————————————————
• Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker

 

Wow! Those are some amazing statistics Beet. Definately makes me cringe when I think of the countless fools I know that started smoking in high school.

 

quiting cold turkey is the only way. I have tried cutting back so many times. When I am drinking I smoke a cigar instead.

 

He may need to quit drinking for a while too. Alcohol was one of my biggest triggers for wanting a cigarette.

 

u should keep me around...
i hate when my friends smoke... i take their box or boxes or cigarettes away from them and hide their lighters... kinda funny to see them panic.. then they eventually get tired of looking and go to sleep! HAHAHAHA!

 

they go to sleep when they can't smoke? even during the day?


and if I was a smoker and you took my cigs I'd punch you in the face

 

i hear 15 years after quitting smoking your lungs fully repair themselves? is this true?