But a firm request that they not smoke in your presence might be the nudge they need to begin to think about wanting to quit. Smokers in the next stage, contemplation, can take heart in knowing that just wanting to quit is a good start. Thinking about quitting makes one aware of one's own smoking pattern and pinpoints the situations and emotions that will need to be managed without a cigarette. Setting a quit date means real commitment. It is also the time to plan how to cope with cravings and how to avoid triggers that are temptations to smoke.
Preparation can make smokers nervous and unsure of themselves.
They need the confidence-building experience of rehearsals, of success in small bites. Some stop smoking in certain places or situations, such as never in the car, never on the phone, and so on. Choosing the non-smoking section of a favorite restaurant is good practice, too. Relapses are common, but when viewed as a normal part of quitting, they lose the stigma of failure. Family and friends of smokers are indispensable in all stages, particularly after the smoker has quit.