Get others on board!
Explain the importance of positive support to the people close to you - their encouragement can make all the difference. We’re here for you too!
Others have an important role
Other people in your life – family, partner, friends – all have an important role to play in you quitting smoking. Positive support and encouragement from those around you can really make a difference. So don’t keep your quit attempt or NRT secret - tell others what you’re doing and why. Ask for their support and encouragement. You could show them the “Baby, Me & NRT” booklet and this website.
Here are some ways you could talk to your friends and family if they’ve got misconceptions about NRT:
Should you take NRT in pregnancy – it might be harmful?
The clean nicotine in NRT is at least 99% safer than smoking – research studies show no harm in pregnancy. It’s deemed safe in pregnancy by the NHS - they wouldn't recommend it if it wasn't.
You should be able to quit without NRT!
Of course you want quit for the baby but it’s still really hard, and can be even harder in pregnancy. The chances of quitting are better with NRT – especially with the support of others - and it does no harm. It’s WAY better to use NRT to cut out all cigs than keep trying and failing to quit without it.
Here are some practical ways family and friends could help you to stay on NRT and stay off cigarettes:
- Ask others to help you stay smoke free by not smoking around you. Second-hand smoke is harmful to your developing baby - if possible, ask others to smoke outside.
- Ask any smokers living in your house not to leave cigarettes or ashtrays lying around.
- Ask someone in your house to remind you to take your NRT e.g. putting on a new patch every morning.
- Friends and family can help by encouraging and supporting you to use your NRT and stay off cigarettes. Having someone to listen or talk to is a great help.
- Friends and family could suggest rewards or treats for when you've stuck to your NRT routine and stayed off cigarettes. They could join you in taking up a hobby or exercise to distract you from smoking.
Remember, you’re not alone. We’re here to support you to quit with NRT – we’ll send you helpful text messages and your Stop Smoking Practitioner will telephone you to see how you’re getting on.