Read this book " the easy way to quit smoking" by allen carr.. if you really want to quit, it WILL ABSOLUTELY make you quit. Taking substitutes only prolongs your nicotine addiction agony!!! Trust me...READ THE BOOK..
There are many remedies out there to quit: patches, gum, Chantix, electronic cigs, hypnosis,etc. But the only thing that makes any difference is person's attitude and unwavering commitment to quitting. The recent studies have shown that the most successful quitters are those that quit cold turkey. Yes, cold turkey! Without all the expensive remedies.
Bottom line is, as I said before, a person can use any help they want, but without their decision to quit, none of the tricks will work. You can do nothing to persuade your boyfriend. He needs to want to quit himself.
And yes, it is definitely possible!
If he went back after a week he's probably not gonna stop. If you quit smoking, after three days it's all in your head.