[widget id=”ad_unit-13″]ad_unit-13[/widget]Whether you are a smoker trying to quit, a non-smoker who hates anything that has to do with tobacco or someone who is simply trying to protect your family from the hazardous effects of smoking, promoting a 100% smoke-free environment in your home is the key. However, doing this is not that easy. Considering the fact that a large portion of the population smoke, it is possible that you have friends, neighbors, and associates who are nicotine addict and you can’t simply tell them don’t smoke in your home. Read the following tips and suggestions that can help you maintain a clean and tobacco-free atmosphere in your home.
1. Do a general cleanup.
If this is the first time you are going to implement this policy, chances are have some friends, relatives or associates that have gone to your home and smoked in there. Don’t think that the harmful effects of smoking ends as the smoke disappear. Third-hand smoke, or the tobacco reside, will stay in your fabrics, furniture, drapes, and walls for days or months. Such chemicals can mix with other compounds in the air to form carcinogenic substances. So before you start with your smoke-free policy at home, make sure your space is cleaned and free from nicotine residue.
2. Learn how to say “NO”.
Don’t let a family get-together, or a home party spoil all your efforts to promote a 100% smoke-free environment. Know how to approach a person who is attempting to light up and tell them you don’t allow smoking at home. Saying “no” isn’t a sign of rudeness. But of course, you want to tell them in a nice and polite manner.
3. Designate a smoking area.
So you wouldn’t turn down the mood of a friend or relative, you may want to designate a place where they can light up. It could be somewhere outside your home, maybe in the lawn or in your backyard. Make sure you have a litter box where they can dispose their cigarette butts and ashes.
4. Put a sign if needed.
You want visitors to know that you do not allow smoking in your home. Maybe you can place a small sign in the living room that tells about the harmful effects of smoking or a funny quote that warns people not to smoke inside, etc. The sign doesn’t have to be that old, boring stuff found in public areas or office. Be creative.
5. Display some magazines, pamphlets or books that will motivate smokers to quit.
Aside from keeping your home free from cigarette smoke, you may want to inspire others to quit and live a healthier life. Instead of nonsense magazines, why not let them read interesting articles and news about smoking. Of course, smokers know smoking is dangerous for their health. But sometimes, they forget all about it because they are afraid to feel deprived of the pleasure associated with it. By reminding them that smoking does more harm than good (well, it doesn’t do any good at all), you can encourage them to quit smoking today.
