I don't smoke, but my boyfriend does. I really want to help him stop smoking — what can I do?

I don't smoke, but my boyfriend does. I really want to help him stop smoking — what can I do?
- Abby*
For you to help your boyfriend quit smoking, he has to want to quit. Because nicotine is addictive, quitting can be difficult. But you can suggest some things that may help him. Just knowing that he has your support can make him more likely to succeed.
Offer to help your boyfriend devise a plan for quitting. This might mean choosing a stop date, encouraging him to speak to his doctor about a nicotine replacement, helping him to stay focused once he stops, and figuring out a good way to reward himself when he reaches different points.
It can be helpful to have several smaller goals to work toward — such as 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months without smoking. You can also help your boyfriend by avoiding things that previously have triggered him to smoke — like visiting a certain friend's house. Remind him (without nagging or preaching) of the benefits of quitting, including all the money he'll be able to save. And remember that ultimately he has to decide whether he's ready to quit — but your support and encouragement can make a difference.

Editorial: Anti-smoking efforts proved we can reverse ills

The effort to battle smoking in the United States began in earnest 50 years ago this past Saturday, when Surgeon General Luther Terry said that smoking was dangerous and urged action.
Today, the war against this leading preventable cause of death is far from over, but it has been largely successful, and that triumph offers important lessons about the power of government, science and persistent advocacy.
It's hard to imagine today, but in 1964 smoking was acceptable practically everywhere, from hospitals to airplanes to children's nurseries. About 42 percent of American adults smoked, and there were few meaningful restrictions on the ability of minors to buy tobacco. Athletes smoked. Doctors smoked. Many who didn't partake likely declined out of personal preference, rather than medical fear.