Table 3.

Key Quotes from open-ended questions

Open-ended question	Support person response
“What did you like most about the program?”	•“There are good ideas in the pamphlet; it’s very thorough.” •“I stopped being a nag and instead worked with encouragement.” •“I liked that it was personal. Perhaps because it was one on one, it felt like it was more tailored to myself and my smoker.” •“Not to be negative if the person does not want to quit.” •“Flexibility, and ability to use program often and over extended period of time.” •“Got rid of myths of people with mental illness who smoke, that they actually can stop smoking with no increase in their symptoms.” •“I liked the fact that I was able to sponsor a loved one but I also like the fact that he is able to do this program on his own without my nagging him or checking up on him.” •“The positive nature of the suggested actions. I like the idea that I can strengthen my relationship with my son (e.g. by asking him how I can help him, and doing things with him) while supporting his attempts to quit smoking. I like moving away from smoking being something that comes between us and weakens our relationship.”
“What did you like least about the program?”	•“It was hard to schedule because there is a lot of drama in my life.” •“I felt the program was well developed. I would have liked to have included more smokers I know.” •“That my son and I can not use the internet program after three months.” •“I wish the online piece stayed available so that if my son decided at a later point to finally check it out, it’d be open.” •“Program I felt was great! Unfortunately, not my loved one. He does not go to group any longer. He states I already know everything I have to do, but I ask him why don’t you try to do it. He says I just don’t want to. I feel he has no motivation and that is an important part for loved ones with mental illness I feel.” •“Making time in my busy schedule to do the program.” •“Not enough contact, not any more info for the support person, no follow-up of things discussed on phone - that would have been a supportive reminder.”
“Overall, what did you think of the telephone program?”	•“It was a very helpful forum for confirming positive strategies and being reminded that negative strategies are counter-productive.” •“It was good but you have to be in continual contact with the loved one. My son doesn’t live with me and he was going through difficulties so he was not in a good place to try to quit. He has to be ready and he wasn’t.” •“The coach was nice, but too long a period in between contacts - so really out of sight out of mind.” •“I felt the coaching was very informative. It gave me suggestions I had not thought of.”