For Family and Friends

It can be hard to see a family member or friend use tobacco. You probably have concerns about their health and would like to see them quit for good. You also may be worried about your own health and the effects of secondhand smoke. No matter your story, the Quitline can help your loved one along the path of quitting tobacco.

Ways the Quitline Can Help

At the Quitline, we use clinically proven methods to help more than 450 people quit tobacco every day—and we can help your loved one in their quit journey. Here's what sets our program apart:

We offer a mix of support that includes coaching, access to an online community, education and nicotine quit medications. We help people who use tobacco set up a plan for quitting and meeting challenges along the way. Our methods are proven by research and we have one of the highest success rates in the country for those who use coaching and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Our participant satisfaction rate is an impressive 90%.

Our quit coaches are among the most experienced in the country and they're here to support your loved one. All our quit coaches have a college degree or equivalent clinical experience and have completed an extensive certified tobacco dependence training program.

Our coaches have compassion and understanding for wherever your loved one is coming from. We know quitting poses different challenges for different people and we have a toolkit of proven strategies that work for people from all backgrounds and cultures. We work with women who are pregnant, new moms, teens, people with mental health concerns, and people from all communities including LGBTQ+, African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian American, and Hispanic/Latino communities.

Find out how the Quitline can support your family member or friend. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to learn more or help your loved one enroll today—it's easy and takes less than 5 minutes to enroll.

If you use tobacco, we can help guide you through quitting. One of the best things you can do to support your teen, family member, or friend quit tobacco is to quit yourself!

Additional Information

Giving up tobacco can make a very positive impact on the health and well-being of someone you love. We want to help you in your effort to become a support person by giving you more information and help you know what to expect in the quitting process.

It's important for a person to understand their own reasons for quitting so they know why they're doing it in the first place. Once somebody feels a personal need to quit, it makes the process easier. Here are some common reasons for quitting:

• Desire to be healthy
• Cost of tobacco products
• Concern for the health of others
• Tobacco use has become socially isolating and less acceptable

Being a support person can sometimes be difficult. Remember that some tobacco users will quit several times before quitting for good. Try to support your friend or family member's efforts for as long as you can. Remember these important tips for positive support:

• Celebrate all efforts to quit, no matter how small. Continue to let your family member or friend know that you are there to be supportive in whatever way they need.
• Find out what is encouraging to your loved one and offer those positive rewards often.
• Continue to let your family member or friend know that you are there to be supportive in whatever way they need.

1. Learn about the tools that will help them to reach and maintain a new tobacco free lifestyle.
2. Be patient. Withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, frustration, headaches and lack of concentration can be difficult for you both.
3. Know your role. You are a support person. It is not your responsibility to make someone quit.
4. Be aware that the urge to smoke again can occur months after quitting. Your friend or family member needs your support in this very hard time and for the next several weeks and months.
5. Be prepared if your friend or family member doesn't stay quit this time. Remember slips and relapses are normal and can lead to greater success in the future. Continue to support your loved one by communicating your unconditional support.