|
Experts agree that support and encouragement are key to quitting and staying quit.
"Some people do not even tell others that they are trying to quit. This is not quitting smart. People who arrange a support system for their quitting efforts are more likely to succeed, and they succeed with greater comfort."
From QuitSmart-Stop Smoking by Dr. Robert Shipley
What is a Quit Team?
A Quit Team is a group of people who have committed to help someone quit tobacco. In their own ways, team members provide appropriate, timely support and encouragement to the quitter.
How do I form a Quit Team?
Find supporters among family, friends and colleagues that you see every day who agree to help you over the next several months. Educate them about your program and decide on specific ways they can help you with your action plan.
What do Quit Team members need to know?
The Quit Team member needs to know:
- what the quitter uses tobacco for (e.g. calming, enjoyment, etc.)
- how and when they use tobacco
- how to quit
- what the user will experience while quitting
- how to help a quitter in general, including what not to do
- how to help a quitter stay quit
What do Quit Team members do?
Quit Team members:
- work with the quitter to determine challenges and ways to address them
- express patience, tolerance and understanding
- encourage!
- demonstrate belief that the quitter will be successful
- divert the quitter from their tobacco use routines
- More helpful tips for Quit Team members
Examples:
- Go over the quitters Why Do You Smoke? to identify specific places and ways you can help the quitter
- Invite the quitter to take a walk at the time they usually take a cigarette break
- If you are a former user, you can be especially empathetic and effective at talking someone through a craving
- Help the quitter set and celebrate milestones: 3 weeks/3 months/6 months/1 year
What qualities does a Quit Team member need to have?
Any of the following:
- An understanding that quitting is hard and their support is a necessary part of the quitter's success.
- A willingness to pamper the ex-smoker
- Good at remembering and celebrating quit milestones
- Good listener
- creative in making distractions and reducing temptations
- willing to notice and point out positive changes in the quitter
- Can overlook or tolerate mood changes
- Persistent and consistent with support of this healthy lifestyle change
For more information, please see
How to Help Someone
Quit Smoking.
A manager can support Quit Teams within their departments by
- helping tobacco users identify those who could be included in their Quit Team
- facilitating gatherings and information exchange sessions that support the creation and support of Quit Teams
- offering to become a Quit Team member
- researching ways to support those quitting
- providing recognition of the support team members
- thanking those that give their time and effort to help a fellow employee become tobacco-free
- Promoting tobacco cessation as one of many healthy lifestyle changes staff could support each other in
See Tips for Creating a Quit Friendly Environment
for more information.
|
