Nagging Will Not Make Someone Stop Smoking
The Anti Anti-Smoking Rules
Here are some common ways that non-smokers irritate and alienate their smoking friends...and sometimes complete strangers:
Constantly reminding smokers of the health risks associated with smoking-This does not work. A person would have to be from another planet to not know the risks of smoking. So telling a smoker over and over again that he/she is going to get cancer does not help; it just comes across as nagging. Smokers are probably more aware of what happens to a person who smokes than non-smokers are simply because they have been told repeatedly by their friends and families.
Making not so subtle remarks about how disgusting smoking is in front of smokers-This only makes people mad. Unless you do not like the smoker in the room and you do not care about offending the person, it is best to keep your mouth shut. You may think that you can offend someone into stopping, but you can't.
Making comments about how much the cigarette is bothering you when you are in a public place-within earshot of the person smoking the cigarette-Again, this is not going to make that person put out the cigarette. It might just cause that person to exhale harder in your direction. The mentality of a smoker in that situation is usually, "If it bothers you, then leave. It is a public place, and I have the right to do what I want." And the smoker would be right.
If you are truly concerned about a loved one who smokes, the best way to get him/her to stop is to be a friend, not an adversary. Do not attack that person. Voice your concern and your opinion, and leave it at that. If you want to distance yourself from that person, go ahead and do that, but keep in mind that smoking is an addiction, and it would be easier for you to deal with that person than it would be for that person to stop. Saying things like, "I really wish you would quit" is fine. But the constant harping on the subject will get no results; in fact, it might just make that person want a cigarette.
Published by A.B. Long
I am 28 years old, and I teach middle and high school English in South Carolina. I have a B.A. in English from North Greenville University. I love my job as an eduator, but it deifinitely requires some tim... View profile
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- Constantly reminding smokers of the risks doesn't work.
- Making comments about how disgusting it is doesn't work.
- Making comments about how much the smoke is bothering you doesn't work.