Advise children who want to stop smoking to:

• Prepare mentally to stop by:
• Making a list of reasons why they want to stop.
• Explaining that most of the pleasure of smoking comes from the relief of nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
• Expecting stopping to be difficult but progressively easier after the third or fourth day. Modest weight gain may occur but is less likely while using NRT to help stop smoking.
• Involving family and friends by telling people about their intention to stop and, if possible, stopping with someone else.
• Set a date to stop smoking when they feel well and under the least amount of stress possible. Advise children to stop immediately if they are ready to do so.
• Avoid relapses by:
• Using nicotine replacement therapy to relieve the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
• Avoiding situations associated with smoking until they can comfortably resist the impulse to smoke. Remove smoking paraphernalia and avoid alcohol in the early stages of stopping.
• Replacing smoking with other activities, such as chewing gum, drinking water or tea, or taking glucose tablets relieve nicotine cravings.
• Setting targets for remaining smoke free and rewarding themselves for reaching these targets.
• Try again if they relapse. Most people who successfully stop smoking long term need several attempts before they finally stop completely.

• These are pragmatic recommendations based on expert opinion [ASH, 2005b; Srivastava et al, 2006].