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Blackcat64 Asked January 2019

She doesn't quit smoking. Any advice?

My sister has COPD and is on oxygen. She can only walk for short bouts. She lies to the Dr that she is no longer smoking. She is close to being home bound. I have no idea how to save her from herself. I love her and idolized her my entire life. I'm wondering if she has given up? I don't want to treat as if she can't make her own decisions. I'm so emotionally exhausted as to how to proceed. Any advice?

katydid1 Jan 2019
Please remember that nicotine is a highly addictive drug. I have promised my granddaughter that I am going to quit after this last pack of cigarettes is gone. I am down to my last one and do feel a certain amount of pure panic setting in. But I have promised and intend to give it my very best.....
As other posters have said, the damage to her lungs has already been done, and COPD is not reversible, but is instead progressive.
Focus your energy instead on convincing her to make sure her oxygen is turned completely off prior to lighting up. I personally know a very sweet gentleman who died in a flash fire caused by smoking with his oxygen on. I can only imagine what a horrible way that would be to go!!

Daughterof1930 Jan 2019
Sadly, she’s chosen an addiction that she can’t or won’t give up. It’s now your choice how to handle your time and energy in how much you want to help as she declines. I’m sorry

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worriedinCali Jan 2019
if she stops smoking, what will that accomplish? The damage to her body is already done. Stopping smoking won’t prolong her life. If she’s close to being home bound then her COPD is really bad. I would advise you to pick your battles. Smoking isn’t a battle I would choose to fight.

Ahmijoy Jan 2019
A lot of posters on this site will say it’s all she has, why deny her. But I know what you’re saying. The thing is, though, you can’t force her to quit. She’s well aware of what she’s doing to herself, if you try to force her to stop, she will turn on you.

Accept that this is what sne wants to do. If she wants to quit, she will. You can explain that it’s breaking your heart to watch her kill herself one cigarette at a time, but don’t expect it to make much difference. .
worriedinCali Jan 2019
the COPD is what is killing her, not the cigarettes. Stopping smoking won’t prolong her life at this point.

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