It’s true if you’ve smoked for a long time, you’re more likely to smoke with your partner. But there are some things you can do to minimize this risk.
We break down the best way to minimize the risks of lung cancer and smoking.
Talk about it
In the very early days, when someone is just learning to smoke, it’s easy to get defensive. But keep in mind you’re not doing anything wrong to have a smoke with them.
You’re in a very vulnerable situation, and you’re doing the best you can. You didn’t ask to be in this position, so don’t beat yourself up about what you can’t change.
Set a quit date
The longer you wait to quit, the more you’ll be out of your mind about it. You have to make a commitment to quit.
Plan to quit at least 4 weeks before your partner smokes. That way, you have a good idea of when you’ll have a second to help you quit.
Consider your reasons for quitting
There are many different reasons why you want to quit. You may have a medical reason, like a health problem or a family history of cancer.
Whatever the reason, you should be honest about it. Your partner is allowed to know the truth too.
If you’re planning to quit because of the benefits of quitting, you may have to be the one to tell your partner.
If you need to quit to avoid a negative reaction from your partner (for example, if you’re going to quit because you’re nervous about your partner’s reaction), it’s important to be the one who tells your partner.
Ask your partner to join you
If your partner is the one who wants to quit, you can encourage them to quit by offering to quit with them.
If they’re planning to quit on their own, you can encourage them to quit with you. Ask them to take a quit date as a reason to quit.
Use your best judgment
This is a very personal decision, and you don’t need to tell your partner that they can’t smoke, but you can offer some advice and support.
For example, if you’re worried that they’ll get a bad reaction from their friends or family if they quit, you can offer to help them.
If you’re worried that they’ll feel anxious about quitting, you can offer to give them some support.
Be prepared to talk it out
It’s not easy to talk about your feelings and your reasons for quitting. This is especially true if you’re used to smoking.
You may want to talk with your partner about how they feel about it. You may also want to talk with a family member or friend, but be prepared for them to have some different reactions than you might expect.
It’s important to find a way to start the conversation. You can start by asking about their feelings. If they’re comfortable talking about it, you can try to help them decide what they want to do.
If your partner is planning to quit, you can offer to help them quit. If they’re planning on quitting on their own, you can encourage them to quit with you.
You can also offer to quit with them. You can have an honest talk about how you feel.
Don’t give up on them
If you feel like your partner is still a smoker, don’t despair. You can help them quit.
You don’t have to quit alone. There are many resources available that can help you stay smoke-free. For example, you can join a support group like the American Lung Association, or you can call the American Cancer Society.
When you’re ready to quit, you may be tempted to quit before your partner even asks you to stop. Don’t do this.
You may be tempted to quit without them knowing. Don’t do this. It’s better to have them ask you to quit, so they know you’re serious.
Acknowledge your feelings
It’s common for smokers to feel guilty when they quit. It’s not easy to quit when you’re used to smoking, so you might feel like you’re betraying your partner.
But it’s important to be honest with your partner about your feelings. Explain to them that you feel guilty when you smoke.
It’s also important to tell your partner you’re feeling depressed or anxious after quitting.
You can do this in a way that’s appropriate for your relationship. You can mention your depression or anxiety to your partner. You can also try to talk about it with a friend, family member, or therapist.
Be prepared to talk about your feelings
It’s common for people who smoke to feel guilty about smoking. You may feel like you’re betraying your partner, but it’s important to be honest about your feelings.
When you’re ready to quit, it’s important to talk about your feelings with your partner. You can do this in a way that’s appropriate for your relationship. You can mention your depression or anxiety to your partner.
You can also talk about it with a friend, family member, or therapist.
Don’t say that smoking isn’t bad
If your partner is a smoker, don’t tell them that smoking is bad. This is a general recommendation, not a law.
Smoking is bad for your health, but it’s not the only bad thing you can do. You can do many other things that are bad for your health, like drinking too much alcohol.
You can still be honest about your feelings and your reasons for quitting. You can also talk about the benefits of quitting.
If you smoke and your partner wants to quit, talk to your partner about how you’re feeling. Be honest about how much smoking is affecting you.
Next steps
Find a support group to talk through your concerns.
If you want to quit, find a support group where you can talk about your feelings.
Images by Freepik
