What’s the best way to stop a 70-80 year old woman to stop smoking?

9 Comments

1. ProudMomof3 says:

   August 18, 2009 at 4:02 pm

   Once they hit that age, it’s best they keep smoking. My grandparents are 87 and 83 and have smoked for over 60 years, and continue to. If someone were to take their cigarettes away, they would probably die. That would be like taking away their medication, and they would go through serious withdrawals too. At their age they can’t afford that. So it’s best they continue. They made it this far, smoking. Why stop them now? Because of my pride?
   So, if you want to risk your grandmothers life, go ahead. I think most people know she smokes anyway. So drop your pride, and think about her, instead of yourself. She’s made it this far. Why chance it?
2. honestly says:

   August 18, 2009 at 4:02 pm

   You can only plead your case with her and then after that let her alone. She has to know the risks. And at this point in her life I would just let her do what she wants. We all know its bad for her and she probably knows it too. But she is up there in age so just let her have them if they make her happy. And she is already known as a smoker.
3. кαтιє says:

   August 18, 2009 at 4:02 pm

   Snatch that cigarette out of her hand and tell her she can have her Cream of Wheat if she agrees to stop smoking.

   - I would buy your grandmother some nicotine gum or patches. Explain directly why you want her to stop smoking. The process will be difficult, but if your grandma listens, then the result will be very rewarding. Get your entire family to support the new health decision, and monitor your grandma’s progress.
4. Arei says:

   August 18, 2009 at 4:02 pm

   At that age, there’s not much you can do to convince her. My grandpa has tried to quit smoking a few times in the past few years but keeps failing miserably (though he was doing well up to the point they found cancer in his prostate, though even after it was removed and everything was fine he hasn’t tried to quit again )

   … And by 70-80 years old, I’m sure your grandma is already known as a smoker

   I understand your concern, its the same one I have for my grandpa. My grandma on my dad’s side smoked packs a day, got lung cancer, got it under decent control but then went back to smoking and it got worse and she died. She wasn’t too terribly old (late 40s to mid 50s i beleive, i don’t really remember, wow its almost been 10 years now).

   Once you’re set in your ways, its hard to change. She probably knows the risks, but doesn’t care. Best thing you can do is spend as much time with her as you can.
5. wucher says:

   August 18, 2009 at 4:02 pm

   who cares what you think she should be called. she’s lived a long full life as is. letter her do what makes her happy, even if that is goign to kill her. you grow old, and start questioning the quality of life, and the meaning of things. if she wont quit she must love it, she knows the consiquences!
6. Blue Sky says:

   August 18, 2009 at 4:02 pm

   If she wants to quit – this will work. A few of my friends have quit. (granted some have started up again after a few years) But it’s worth a try.

   This will only work if she wants to quit.

   After she smokes a cigarette, approacher her and say, "I see you have just smoked your last cigarette."
   Of course she will ask what you are talking about – and then you say, "As of right now – you are a non-smoker. There are no cigarettes in you hand or lit in the ashtray, so you are now a non-smoker. You will only be a smoker if you light up another cigarette. And I know you no longer want to be a smoker. And now that you are a non-smoker, and you know how hard it was to quit, DON’T START SMOKING "
7. Joshua H says:

   August 18, 2009 at 4:02 pm

   I’d say that if she’s been doing it for 70 or 80 years, she’s gonna keep doing it unless she decides differently!
8. rufus_trotman says:

   August 18, 2009 at 4:02 pm

   Your grandma is an adult, and is more than capable of making her own decisions. You can tell her that you don’t approve/like her smoking, but only once (if you keep on about it then you’ll upset and/or offend her).

   If she’s in her 70s or 80s then chances are that she’ll already be OK with being known as a smoker, she’ll have been doing it for that long.

   And what’s the big deal about her being "known as a smoker"? Have we become that intolerant as a society to the point where grandmothers are demonized (sorry, denormalized) for indulging in habit that they’ve probably had for decades?

   Trying to "make" her stop smoking is probably going to be about as effective as fairy wings on a cement truck.
9. titleist0813 says:

   August 18, 2009 at 4:02 pm

   I assure you that there is NOTHING that you can do to stop her from smoking. She is 70 or 80 years old, she is set in her ways. Stopping smoking at this point in her life would not make any difference any way.

   I really believe that you just don’t want her (as you said) to be ‘known as a smoker’. That is not really any of your business.

   Besides, smoking is not nearly as evil as the anti tobacco lobby has made it out to be. Look through some of my past answers for the truth about smoking….

   The most you could expect to gain from trying to ‘make’ her quit smoking is to ruin a relationship with a wonderful lady. You obviously love her, so let her last few years be peaceful. Instead od harping on her, enjoy her life with her while you still have her.