Nicopatch :: Non-smokers :: How to motivate a smoker?

Motivations to quit smoking are manifold and of various origins. Each person must find his/her own motivations.

Health

Quitting smoking results in immediate benefits for one’s health:

It only takes 3 days for the carbon monoxide level to get back to normal and for the body to recover oxygenation capacities.
After 1 to 2 years, cardiovascular risk is sensibly reduced (50% reduction in myocardial infraction after 1 year without smoking).
After 5 to 10 years, lung cancer risk is significantly reduced (50 to 90% reduction after 15 to 20 years).
After 10 years, the risk is equivalent to that of non-smokers for lip, mouth and pharynx cancer.
After about 10 to 15 years, risk of chronic respiratory disorders is reduced by 60%, chronic bronchitis is reduced by 50% in 20 years, coughing disappears and short-term emphysema progression is stopped.

Well-being

Restored lung capacity (breathing, sport).
Coughing is reduced in terms of frequency and intensity.
Vocal chords are improved.
Senses of taste and smell reappear about 2 weeks following quitting.
Skin looks younger and more radiant.
Exposure to infectious risk is reduced.
Unpleasant smells disappear (bad breath, smell of cold tobacco on hair and clothes, in the home and car).
Fingers and teeth gradually lose their yellow tinge.
Fatigue disappears, general state and physical condition are improved.

Increase in life expectancy

After 15 to 20 years without smoking, the life expectancy of an ex-smoker is practically that of a non-smoker.
Quitting smoking after a heart attack divides by 3 the risk of sudden death.

Freedom is back

Do you remember the 10, 20 or maybe 50 miles you used to drive in the middle of the night looking for a still open cigarette shop, or when you had to interrupt those business meetings just to go out for a smoke?…

Sense of responsibility

Unfortunately, it isn’t just the smoker who smokes, everyone around is also affected. Many parents stopped « because of their children »; these children can therefore be proud of their mum or dad, now happy ex-smokers.

Other reasons

Did you know, for instance, that 33% of fires are caused by smokers (cigarettes buts placed in a bin, a moment’s inattention with a cigarette in one’s hand etc.).

If you want to quit, you must firstly identify your personal motivations. Can you, for instance, sum up your motivations in three words?

This can help:

The wish to achieve a personal, family or professional objective, in which tobacco no longer has its place.
The self-image you are aiming at.
Refusal to feel diminished from a physical, intellectual or sexual point of view compared to before.
Being “ fed up” with smoking and no longer wanting to feel enslaved by nicotine.
The need to have a healthy attitude as regards his/her beliefs, profession…

Define and make a list of your motivations: this is the first step towards success...