If you know someone trying to quit smoking, why not help them out. There are quite a few things you can do to make a big difference.

It's not easy to quit. So if you know someone who is trying to quit, they could really benefit from your support. If you've been a smoker and have managed to quit, you'll have some first-hand experience of what it's like and potentially some great tips. Even if you have no quitting experience you can still provide much needed support to your friend while they attempt to quit. Here are some tips to help you help them.

1 - Know your stuff

It's good to find out about smoking and quitting. The more you know about the subject, the more prepared you'll be to help them deal with issues they might have along the way. There's lots of information on this site about how smoking and quitting affects the mind and body, spending and saving money, and family and friends.

2 - Listen to them

Everybody starts their quit journey for individual reasons, so it's good to understand their specific attitude to quitting - their hopes, expectations and their worries. If you know why and how they're looking to leave cigarettes behind, you'll know what will help to keep them on track during their journey.

3 - Help them make a promise

Some people find it motivating to record a promise to themselves at the start of their quit journey. If you're helping someone quit, offering your assistance in recording their message is a good way to get off on the right foot. Help them construct a letter, identify why they're doing it and set out how to make it happen. You could even film their promise for them. This promise can come in handy later, when they are finding quitting tough and need some extra motivation.

4 - Support them

It's easy to underestimate the importance of encouragement when it comes to quitting. You may be tempted to tell them off or make them feel guilty about their habit, but this could be a mistake. No one likes being told they're doing something they shouldn't, especially if they already know it. Feeling positive and encouraged on the other hand, could give a quitter the drive they need to ultimately succeed. Remind them of the multiple benefits they'll get by quitting, and stay positive!

5 - Distract them

Having something to keep your mind off cravings can be really effective for quitters. Simply talking to them or showing them something interesting online or in a magazine could stop them missing their cigarettes. Deep breathing exercises could help them relax, and going out for a walk round the block means they can get some fresh air and stay focused.

6 - Help them get active

Lots of people find that discovering a new, more health-conscious lifestyle helps them stay smoke-free. Why not take up a new sport with them, or simply encourage them to start jogging or going to the gym? If you do it with them, you'll be helping them quit and could feel and look better yourself too.

7 - Don't tempt them

If spending time in the pub means they're more likely to smoke, finding an alternative pastime for them to enjoy is probably a good idea. You could help them by suggesting somewhere else to spend time - take them to the cinema, go watch a gig, go out for dinner or even go round to their place and stay in.

8 - Be prepared for a slip up

Having one cigarette doesn't mean failure. Quitting is a journey, not an event. So it's important to be ready for slip ups and offer them even more support and encouragement. They already know they shouldn't have had that cigarette, so there's no need for you to tell them. Remind them that a slip up isn't a reason to give up and go back to smoking. It's a minor setback and they should focus on how far they have come and keep going. Talk about why they're quitting - show them their promise if it helps - and work out how to get back on track together.

9 - Reward them

It's important to celebrate the little wins here and there. Treat them to dinner if they go a week without smoking. After a month, take them to a day spa or to watch the footy. It's really positive encouragement and it may even give them extra motivation because they'll know how much you care about their success.

10 - Quit with them

If you're a smoker, what better opportunity to stop than by quitting with your friend? You'll be able to share support and understanding, as well as tips and advice, and it could help you both stay motivated throughout your individual journeys.

Quitting isn't easy, so if you have a friend or relative who's trying then giving them as much encouragement as you can could make a big difference.