Smokeout To Urge Students To Kick The Habit

The SHSU Student Health Center is asking smoking students to ‘butt out’ for a day with the Great American Smokeout on Thursday (Nov. 17).

That day, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Mall Area, the center will highlight the dangers of tobacco use and the benefits of quitting, as advised by the American Cancer Society.

The SHC will also encourage those who smoke to refrain for at least one day in recognition of the American Cancer Society’s 29th annual Great American Smokeout. More people quit smoking and using other forms of tobacco on this day than any other day of the year.

"The average smoker tries to quit five times before he or she is successful, said Michelle Lovering, SHC programming coordinator. “ Smoking cessation is very challenging, but the Great American Smokeout is a great day to quit with others, so that you can go through the tough times together."

In the United States, tobacco use causes nearly one in five deaths, killing nearly 438,000 Americans each year, and is the single most preventable cause of death in our society, according to the American Cancer Society.

"Smoking cessation is the single most cost-effective public health intervention for adults" Tom Hill, SHC medical doctor.

Students who commit to quit will receive a free quit kit, information about smoking and other items to help smokers stop, and those who sign a smoking cessation contract will be entered into a drawing to receive free gifts from local business.

A free carbon monoxide screening with the “Smokerlyzer” will also be available to students.

“The Smokerlyzer is a great tool to monitor levels of carbon monoxide,” said Lovering. “It (carbon monoxide) is a poisonous gas that can remain in the blood stream for up to 24 hours after smoking.”

According to the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Survey administered from 2003-2004 at SHSU, which included questions about tobacco use, approximately 23 percent of students reported that they had smoked a cigarette in the past 30 days.

Non-smokers are also invited to participate in the Great American Smokeout. The SHC would like to prevent non-smokers or social smokers from becoming regular smokers, Lovering said.

For more information, contact Lovering at 936.294.4347 or mlovering@shsu.edu For information about the Great American Smokeout, visit http://www.cancer.org.

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Nov. 16, 2005
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