Tobacco
Our Philosophy
Wellness Education Services is dedicated to:- preventing students from initiating tobacco use
- assisting students who want to quit smoking
- supporting smoke-free campus policies and practices
Background Information
Young people are targeted by the tobacco industry via tobacco-industry-sponsored parties at bars and nightclubs, sponsorship of concerts, and tobacco product give-aways. Some college students are at especially high risk for tobacco use, including freshmen, women, fraternity and sorority members, GLBT students, and male athletes. Currently, 6.8% of UB students consider themselves current smokers - and this rate is slightly higher than the national average.
According to the National Cancer Institute, tobacco use, particularly cigarette smoking, is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Cigarette smoking is directly responsible for 30 percent of all cancers and is a primary cause of emphysema, bronchitis, heart disease, stroke and cataracts. Smoking during pregnancy can cause stillbirth, low birth weight, Sudden Infant Death, and other serious pregnancy complications.
Quitting smoking greatly reduces a person's risk of developing the diseases mentioned, and can limit adverse health effects on the developing child. Although one's risk for lung cancer remains higher than if one never had smoked, strong evidence shows that people who stop smoking - regardless of age - live longer than those who continue to smoke. Studies indicate that while the majority of smokers want to stop smoking completely, they struggle to quit. Most adults who smoke regret ever starting.
Good Reasons to Stop Smoking - Adapted from the NYS Quitline
For Young Adults- Bad breath
- Stained teeth
- Cost
- Lack of independence - controlled by cigarettes
- Cough
- Dyspnea affecting sports
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Increased rate of spontaneous abortion and fetal death
- Increased risk of low birth weight
- Easier to stop now
- Decreased risk of heart disease and cancer if you stop
- Twice the risk of heart disease
- Six times the risk of emphysema
- Ten times the risk of lung cancer
- 5-8 years shorter lifespan
- Cost of cigarettes
- Cost of sick time
- Bad breath
- Less convenient and socially unacceptable
- Wrinkles
UB Resources
Want to Quit?: Make an appointment to see one of the providers at Student Health Services. Let your provider know that you want to quit smoking. Call for appointment, 829-3316.
Want to Build a Smoke Free Campus? Students, faculty and staff who are interested in education, outreach and research related to tobacco control on our campus, contact us.
UB Partnerships for Tobacco Control
Quitline
1-866-NY-QUITS
(1-866-697-8487)
Provides telephone counseling
Counselors available M-F 9-9; Sat/Sun 9am-1pm
Information on how to quit
Will mail a quit-kit (written publications)
Pre-recorded information
Provides 2 weeks free NRT for eligible smokers
Web sites
www.nysmokefree.com
Information on how-to-quit
Setting a quit date
Support when backsliding
Links to Quitnet - support group for former smokers; chatgroup
www.doingyoudamage.com
Motivational information for pre-contemplators
(i.e., those who believe they will quit someday, before smoking harms them)
www.bobquits.com
Skill building approach for tobacco cessation
Personal stories
Young male audiences
www.maryquits.com
Skill building approach for tobacco cessation
Personal stories
Young female audiences
