Help please?

[Apparitions]

OK, so I'm kind of confused with what is happening with my friend. He has just taken up smoking which is quite unlike him, at the moment it is 1 a day but I know it will increase to 2, 5, 10+ a day eventually. He's just told us that the doctors say he will die by the time he is 18 which is one of the reasons he smokes I think as he is stressed and whatever. I think he is also being influenced by the wrong crowd, people who smoke a lot more than him. He doesn't seem as close to me as he did before as well. He has changed quite a bit now as well. So what can I do? We don't talk about this kind of stuff and if I tried to then it would make him think I'm being weird. +rep for help.

[Cronyne]

Honestly, if he's expected to die so quick I think I'd just let him smoke. What's he dieing from? Did he tell you?

[Kaius]

I think, from what you're saying here that this is kind of out of your hands. The best thing to do would be to talk to a mutual adult such as a teacher or school counsellor. What your friend is going through is obviously a very hard thing to comprehend. He's been technically given a death sentence, smoking is his way of dealing with the stress and lack of control he has over the situation. The change of friendship groups also play a part, the peer pressure could be giving him more stress and pressure to smoke. All you can do is be there for him, although you aren't as close any more just make it known you're there for him when he needs you. It must be a hard thing for you to go through, don't hesitate to pm me if you need to talk. Good luck

[nick]

Dan, if your friend is your age and has been told he wont live past 18 he might as well smoke if he enjoys it. The reason not to smoke is because of the health risks, well that's kinda redundant in his case. It would take a very special person not to be changed at all by hearing a death sentence at this age, what he needs is all the support you can give him.

[Apparitions]

Honestly, if he's expected to die so quick I think I'd just let him smoke. What's he dieing from? Did he tell you?
Heart problems that he's had since he was born. It isn't really affecting him atm but it will by the time he is 18 apparently.

[Kahn]

Well this is out of your control. It seems he has chosen to do this because he has little time left, so I would just let him. It is his choice in the end, and you can only influence what he thinks. No one made the decision for him, he chose it himself. Maybe it is for the better. Like I said he has little time left, just let him do what he wants. if it really bothers you that much make it known to him and maybe he will rethink what he is doing. Good luck Dan.

[BUENA]

This is a tough one.....I think all you can do is be there for him. Be on his best intentions...even if he might treat you like a jerk....he would 'silently' want someone like that in his life.