Helping your client stop smoking

As a counsellor, you may be asked to help a client quit smoking. Smoking kills one in four smokers, many of whom die a painful death. Out of 1,000 young male smokers, one will be murdered and six will be killed on the roads; but 250 will die from smoking. It shows what a big killer smoking is.

Withdrawal is not easy because nicotine is highly addictive. The user may also experience stress because they have lost an emotional support. Research shows that trying to persuade smokers to quit has little effect unless the smoker is already considering it. Therefore, exhortations bring little benefit.

The client may light up at certain times when they make coffee, for example. You may ask the client to write down the times and places where they smoke, and encourage the client to avoid those times and places. Separating smoking from social breaks may help.