The study by a pharmaceutical company found that jealousy and guilt about their own habit and wanting a smoking "buddy" are among the reasons to wreck other people's quitting attempts.
The company collected data from 6,300 current and former smokers and found that 31 per cent of smokers admit being saboteurs, AAP reported.
The study also found that 72 per cent of smokers who have tried to quit think someone has tried to ruin their attempts.
Majority of smokers said they tried to kick the habit at least three times. One in five said they had tried five times or more.
"Beating a smoking addiction is hard enough without the negative influence of others around you casting doubt," the London-based physician, Sarah Jarvis said.
"I want those who are motivated to give up smoking to be aware that they don't have to go it alone and that there is support available," said Jarvis.
"Even a brief conversation with their healthcare professional ... Can increase their chances of success by up to four times, compared with going cold turkey," she added.