Spring Break
SHS brings Great American Smokeout to students
Event shows dangers of tobacco use, provides attendees with local resources available to help quit smoking
Rebecca Johnson
Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: News
|
The Daily Barometer
Student Health Services brought the Great American Smokeout to the OSU campus yesterday in an effort to help staff and students find a way to break the unhealthy habit of smoking.
The Great American Smokeout is an anti-smoking event sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
"We know that quitting smoking is tough and that most smokers have to try several times before quitting for good," said Alan G. Thorson, national volunteer president for the American Cancer Society. "… We hope that smokers will use the Great American Smokeout to map out a course of action that will help them to quit, and in turn to stay well and celebrate more birthdays."
Those putting on the OSU Great American Smokeout were providing information on the dangers of tobacco use while also informing students of local resources they have at their disposal but may not know about. They also provided events such as trading in tobacco products for gum and a raffle.
"We're not trying to scare people into quitting," said Lauren Wagner, a junior in public health and a peer coordinator for Peer Health Advocates. "We just want to let them know if they want to quit that we have resources."
One of those resources is the OSU Tobacco Cessation Program that is offered by Student Health Services. The program is free for OSU students and offers a quit kit and one-on-one services.
"We want to get the word out about the Tobacco Cessation Program … They give you the tools to quit," said Dan Fischer, a junior in pre-pharmacy.
A 2006 survey by the American College Health Association showed 2.4 percent of OSU students smoked cigarettes everyday, 68 percent have never smoked and that the number of students who use tobacco has steadily increased over the years.
The event was held during the ISOSU Coffee Hour, where several international students were able to get information about tobacco use.
One of those students was Alfonc Rakaj, a sophomore in political science, who doesn't smoke but says he knows many smokers who could benefit from this sort of information.
"A lot of them say they want to (quit smoking)," Rakaj said. "But it's a habit, it's something you rely on."
He also mentioned that smoking has varying significance to different cultures.
"Albania has a high percentage of smokers," Rakaj said.
Another Great American Smokeout event will be held Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the MU quad, weather permitting, or in the Trysting Tree Lounge if it rains.
Rebecca Johnson, senior reporter
737-2231, news@dailybarometer.com
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.