If you know anyone who smokes, there is cause for concern. Smoking is the top cause of death from lung cancer in the U.S. and is also a factor in many other forms of cancer, along with a host of other health problems. You may well want to know how you can help someone you know to quit smoking for good.

Motivate them to quit.

Many are not aware of all of the damage they are doing to themselves by continuing to smoke. If you want to help someone to stop smoking, they can benefit from some motivation. Everyone has something which will motivate them - what is it in their case? Do they have children or grandchildren who they want to see graduate from college? Are they concerned with health? Find something which will make them want to quit.

Will they listen to you if you tell them about the ways they are hurting themselves by smoking? One thing which has worked is showing the smoker pictures of diseased organs and blackened lungs - which is a dramatic way to illustrate just what smoking is doing to their body. You might want to wait until well after mealtime to do this of course, these pictures can be nauseating!

Support them.

A lot of smokers would like to quit but need just a little help, such as the support of their family and friends. Perhaps it's that they worry about missing their old hangouts and activities. Instead, take them to new places. Are they concerned that their friends may no longer want to come over now that smoking is not allowed at their house? Speak with their friends and get them to support in your someone's efforts to stop smoking.

Another way to help someone to stop smoking is giving them quit smoking aids like patches, gum, lozenges and so on. Look into these aids so that you can tell them all about their use and assure your soon to be ex-smoker that they are safe and effective. Giving them this support and assistance by showing them that these products can help them quit; you make it more likely that they will kick the habit for good.

How to really help someone to stop smoking.

Encouragement is the best help you can give to anyone to help them stop smoking, particularly if they've tried and failed to quit in the past. Tell them that it's OK; not everyone succeeds on the first try. By giving them this support and encouragement, you can help someone to stop smoking once and for all!