Study shows smoking down among college students
by Emily Blake | Independent Florida Alligator (University of Florida)
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: News
(U-WIRE) — Students at the University of Florida and nationwide have shown that drastic times call for at least one drastic measure&mdashto quit smoking.
According to a report released Sept. 8 by the American Lung Association, only 19.2 percent of college students are lighting up, which is the lowest percentage since 1980.
The report states that the rising cost of cigarettes and stricter no-smoking laws have motivated students across the country to put out their cigarettes for good.
UF organizations are jumping on the bandwagon.
"We're really ahead of the game," said Jane Emmerée, health educator at GatorWell Health Promotion Services.
Emmerée said a GatorWell study performed this spring revealed that only 8.6 percent of UF students reported smoking within 30 days of the study.
Because of the recent rise in gas and food prices, some students have decided cigarettes are a luxury.
According to the American Lung Association's report, the average price of a pack of cigarettes has increased from 42 cents in 2000 to $1.16 in July 2008.
"The more cigarettes cost and the more they are taxed, the more people have to decide between buying food and gas or buying a pack of cigarettes," said E. Maureen Miller, an alcohol and drug prevention specialist for GatorWell.
High prices aren't the only deterrent to smokers&mdashsince the state Legislature passed a 2003 amendment banning smoking in many public areas, such as restaurants, Florida smokers have been having difficulty finding a place to take a cigarette break.
UF currently bans smoking not only inside all buildings, but also within 50 feet of them, according to UF's Web site.
The report stated that more than 130 colleges nationwide have already taken the next step &mdashto ban smoking everywhere on campus.
Jon Carroll, special assistant to UF Vice President for Student Affairs Patricia Telles-Irvin, said because UF's smoking policy was just established in January, UF is unlikely to follow suit any time soon.
According to a report released Sept. 8 by the American Lung Association, only 19.2 percent of college students are lighting up, which is the lowest percentage since 1980.
The report states that the rising cost of cigarettes and stricter no-smoking laws have motivated students across the country to put out their cigarettes for good.
UF organizations are jumping on the bandwagon.
"We're really ahead of the game," said Jane Emmerée, health educator at GatorWell Health Promotion Services.
Emmerée said a GatorWell study performed this spring revealed that only 8.6 percent of UF students reported smoking within 30 days of the study.
Because of the recent rise in gas and food prices, some students have decided cigarettes are a luxury.
According to the American Lung Association's report, the average price of a pack of cigarettes has increased from 42 cents in 2000 to $1.16 in July 2008.
"The more cigarettes cost and the more they are taxed, the more people have to decide between buying food and gas or buying a pack of cigarettes," said E. Maureen Miller, an alcohol and drug prevention specialist for GatorWell.
High prices aren't the only deterrent to smokers&mdashsince the state Legislature passed a 2003 amendment banning smoking in many public areas, such as restaurants, Florida smokers have been having difficulty finding a place to take a cigarette break.
UF currently bans smoking not only inside all buildings, but also within 50 feet of them, according to UF's Web site.
The report stated that more than 130 colleges nationwide have already taken the next step &mdashto ban smoking everywhere on campus.
Jon Carroll, special assistant to UF Vice President for Student Affairs Patricia Telles-Irvin, said because UF's smoking policy was just established in January, UF is unlikely to follow suit any time soon.
Be the first to comment on this story