How to Get Your Husband to Quit Smoking in the House

Tobacco-caused disease is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, claiming more than 392,000 lives each year, according to the American Lung Association. Another 50,000 people die from exposure to secondhand smoke, which poses numerous health risks for non-smokers, especially children. Helping your spouse quit smoking offers many benefits for the entire family, but if your husband refuses to quit smoking, request that he take his habit outdoors where it’s less likely to pose health risks to the rest of the family.

Help Your Spouse Stop Smoking Indoors

Gather pamphlets and other information about the hazards of cigarette smoking and educate yourself about the dangers. Check with the American Lung Association and your local health department for smoking cessation programs in your area.

Choose a calm and relaxing time to sit down with your spouse and discuss your concerns about his smoking. Make an informed pitch to your husband to quit smoking altogether, but be supportive and loving rather than confrontational.

Let your husband know you’re concerned about the well-being of your entire family as well as his health. Explain the dangers of second-hand smoke and briefly discuss the nuisances of tobacco use in the home, such as ashes and odor.

If your husband refuses to consider quitting his tobacco habit, gently request that he confine his smoking to the outdoors. Ask why he prefers smoking indoors and what would make the outdoors a more appealing smoking area.

If you have a garage or screened porch, ask your spouse to move his smoking there. Make it an appealing area for him—with a favorite chair, television set and magazines about things he enjoys, such as sports or fishing. Let your husband and the rest of the family know that the area is off-limits to anyone but him.

If you don’t have an enclosed area for your husband’s “special smoking spot,” create an outdoor oasis on a porch, deck or in the backyard. Give him protection from the elements and insects with an outdoor canopy or gazebo (including mosquito netting) and an outdoor heater. Include a comfortable all-weather chair and other comforts that will make him look forward to going outdoors. Ensure that his smoking area is a place he can go to relax while smoking, making it distraction-free.