With a drink
Why you crave cigarettes when drinking, and how not to smoke
Drinking makes quitting harder for two reasons. Alcohol makes you more likely to act without thinking, and drinks often come with smokers close by. Slow down with water between drinks, stay inside when people step out, and have your answer ready before anyone offers. The urge usually passes within a few minutes.
Why this moment pulls
For many people, a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other was the whole evening. Smokefree.gov says that for many people, alcohol makes them want to smoke, and that drinking can make quitting more difficult. That is why a night out can feel like the biggest test of the week.
Alcohol also changes how you decide. Smokefree.gov notes that it makes you more likely to do things without thinking them through. The plan you had at 7 p.m. can feel less important after the third drink. That is why the decisions work best when you make them before you go out.
Where there is drinking, there are often smokers, and the offer is one step away. The National Cancer Institute suggests drinking less or not at all in the early weeks, choosing different drinks from the ones you had when you smoked, and avoiding the places where you usually drink.
Three moves for with a drink
Set these up before the first drink. Each one takes a few seconds.
- 1Drink a glass of water between every drink.
- 2Stay inside when the smokers step out.
- 3Have your line ready: "No thanks, I don't smoke."
These are the three moves BeQuit gives you for this moment, each under a minute.
If it still hits
If the urge is still there, step into a quiet corner, open BeQuit and tap SOS for a guided breath. The craving usually fades within a few minutes, even when the night keeps going.
Questions
Why do I want to smoke more when I drink?
Alcohol and cigarettes are often paired, so a drink can bring the urge back on its own. Smokefree.gov also notes that alcohol makes you more likely to act without thinking, and drinking is often social, with smokers around. Together, that makes drinking one of the hardest moments to stay smokefree.
Should I stop drinking while I quit smoking?
Smokefree.gov suggests staying away from alcohol in the first few weeks of quitting if you can, and drinking moderately after that. It defines moderate as up to one drink a day for women and up to two for men. If you do go out, plan the evening first.
What do I say when someone offers me a cigarette?
Keep it short and plain: "No thanks, I don't smoke." The NHS suggests having a short line like this ready before you need it. You do not owe anyone an explanation. Saying it the same way every time makes it easier, and people tend to stop asking.
Sources
- Smokefree.gov: Alcohol and smoking
- National Cancer Institute: Handling nicotine withdrawal and triggers
- NHS Better Health: Understand your smoking triggers and cravings
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. BeQuit is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. Talk to a doctor or a quitline about medication and nicotine replacement.
