Small things make a big difference

My husband started smoking about 12 years ago when he changed jobs. He always said he would quit, but he’s never been truly successful when it came to quitting. I always told him that I didn’t like it when he smoked. His clothes always smelled and I know it sounds cliché, but I couldn’t stand the taste of cigarettes when I kissed him.

It wasn’t until recently that I realized quitting smoking is not just a personal decision. When you’re addicted to tobacco, it doesn’t mean that it’s just a mental choice. When you’re addicted, your body is addicted. When I understood this, it changed my entire outlook on helping my husband quit.

I figured out what it was that made him want to smoke. Like when he sits at the kitchen table in the morning and he has his coffee. Because he has been in the habit of smoking with his coffee, I supported his latest decision to quit by helping break the routine. I got him some new coffee cups and even rearranged the kitchen a little bit. I know it sounds small, but it has really made a big difference.

I also give him as much encouragement as I can. If I ever see him stressed out or nervous, I try to distract him and talk about different things to get his mind off the craving. In a way, I kind of feel like we’re quitting together. Even though I have never smoked, I understand when my husband wants to smoke…and I do my best to help him avoid it.