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How can I stop smoking when everyone around me smokes?

13 Answers
Last Updated: 01/17/2022 at 1:26am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United Kingdom
Moderated by

Tanyia Hughes, Adv Dip Psy

Psychotherapist

I have been through a lot in life too, which helps me to be able to empathize with situations, thoughts and feelings that we have. Sometimes, it's not easy just being human.

Top Rated Answers
Ryan091995
June 5th, 2015 4:12pm
If you are currently smoking and are dedicating to quitting your habit, I think the first step is to ween yourself off a little bit at a time. Going cold turkey can have a negative effect on the body and mind. Make it a habit to smoke one less cigarette a day, decreasing a little bit at a time. It can be difficult to quit habits that you struggle with when they are always around, there must be a little bit of self control. Realize your goal of quitting first, and find something positive in rewarding yourself after, say, every 2-3 cigarettes less smoked. You can also find an alternative to your smoking to help ease the process and distract yourself from potential need to smoke, chewing gum could be helpful , for example. If you are struggling a lot, tell your friends and fellow smokers what your goal is and they should do their best to help you achieve your goal. If that doesn't work, you may need to try and stay away from them until you are no longer tempted. You can also find somebody who doesn't smoke to motivate you to quit. Hope this answer helps!
FelixLlyod
May 14th, 2018 4:37pm
You know, everyone thinks like that. Everyone waits for someone. However, this is just a game of your brain. If you are thinking like that I'm going to tell you something; You can be the guiding light who quits smoking first. Maybe thanks to you more people that think exactly like you can quit
therapinto
March 1st, 2015 1:26pm
Whenever you feel like buying smokes, end up buying gum. Ask help from relatives to help give up smoking. When you do quit, you will feel ill, you will feel tired and down and cranky and pissed off and crazy. This will pass. Do not give in! You may lose friends over the fear of smoking when they do, but what kind of friends are those? Its better to leave them back.
MissMary
April 3rd, 2015 11:03pm
It's okay to make decisions for your own personal health that affect your social life. But quitting is a journey, and there is an end in sight. It's okay to take a break from the people in your life impeding your progress until you can handle being around smokers again. You can always talk to these people, ask them to do things with you when they won't need to smoke. If need be, maybe find new social circles that are easier to be around. But it will get easier.
greenJOHN1971
November 25th, 2015 6:03pm
Oh dear, you just have to want to. A friend of mine said that when she quit, she left the pack of cigarrets on the coffee table for a month. She just stopped cold turkey, however that won't work for everyone. Have you thought about any strategies that may work for you?
FountainOfTruth
February 24th, 2015 9:35pm
Don't smoke, and let everyone know why. I they don't understand and won't accept that, then you will probably have to find other people to hang out with.
MortalWings
March 13th, 2015 5:45pm
Growing up in a family of smokers, it was only natural that I became accustomed to smoking. However, when I realized that I was putting my life in danger, it made me rethink and get help. Making a change boils down to two things; yourself and your discipline.
Anonymous
February 21st, 2016 4:48pm
Stop hanging around people that smoke. Even if you quit or have quit, secondhand smoke is just as dangerous as inhaling the smoke from a cigarette. The best thing you can do is look out for yourself first
Anonymous
February 25th, 2016 9:20pm
You have to want to stop and when you accept it you can do it easily
Anonymous
September 5th, 2016 1:29pm
simple will power. dont bust your friends' balls. but be your own man and stand by your decision to not smoke. will power.
Anonymous
October 10th, 2016 2:52am
Try distancing yourself from that, you have the choose to stay or go. It's up to you to surround your self with those things.
unassumingCircle6038
May 18th, 2018 10:35pm
Determination
Anonymous
January 17th, 2022 1:26am
Think about how bad it is and try to be the better person out of all those people when you see them smoke. It will be hard but you have to try you can do it. Try to eliminate some of the people who smoke the most around you. Try and get those people out of your life as much or just quit hanging out with them as much or at all. If you still can’t stop maybe try some online methods or some counseling or meetings. I know it can be hard but I know you can do it.