Coming from someone who has quit in the past and currently needs to quit again for me, I prefer is someone asks me how the smoking is going and accepting my answer. For example I am currently off and on with the patch trying to work on getting it to stick and my family knows how hard it is. They will ask me generally but not be up my butt or judgmental about it. I guess it also depends on what kind of support your friend wants. If they want an accountability person I suggest they get a support person from a 12 step or smoking cessation support group because they will know more about what works and doesnt. but your friend might just want a person to ask them about it specifically too.