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Chances are you either have a family member or know a family friend who smokes heavily.  According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 26.2 million men (23.5 percent) and 20.9 million women (18.1 percent) are smokers.  The cigarette addiction has been compared to heroin addiction “…In another survey, 36 heroin users entering treatment were asked to compare their strongest cigarette urge to their strongest heroin urge. Most said the heroin urge was stronger, but two said the cigarette urge was, and 11 rated the two urges about the same.”  -The surprising truth about heroin and addiction.
Jacob Sullum | June 2003 Print Edition

Now to the issue:  How to deal with a chronic smoker in the family.  There is a major problem when only one family member or friend smokes and they like to do it around others in social settings or casual events.  The problem increases in severity if there are children around since the smoker is so used to it, they may not consider the kids.

There are ways to approach the person without causing conflict or offending them depending on how sensitive they are.  Ideally, if you have good rapport with them, you can simply ask them to take the cigarette outside or to another area or you can ask the kids to move and mention its due to the smoke.  After doing this a few times, the person should get the hint.

What if the person is a long time smoker and they don’t plan on changing?  Now you have a new issue and a more difficult one to deal with.  You need to make a decision to either break ties over a cigarette or agree to disagree and save the relationship but move away during the five to ten minutes it takes to finish a cigarette.

There are plenty of quit aide products and substitutes that may also help including gums, pills, and even an electric cigarette! All these products deliver nicotine (the addictive substance in cigarettes) and some can even help the person quit smoking all together.

The most important thing you need to remember is this person has an addiction and often times it can be very controlling.  Have patience and take thought to how you act when trying to get your point across.

Sources:

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4559

http://www.reason.com/news/show/28809.html