--by Dorina Lazo
Despite the 160 posters, 400 table tents, flyers in mailboxes, and countless other methods of advertising, the "Freedom From Smoking" program sponsored by Health Services drew no participants.
"We tried all these different incentives but we just didn't get any," said Judy Eppinga, Nurse Director of Health Serivices, "We did at least hope we would get a couple people."
The Freedom From Smoking program Orientation was scheduled for Monday, February 3rd. Although several students did express interest in the program for various reasons no one showed up. Eppinga expressed some disappointment. She said starting a program like this has been one of the goals of Health Services for several years now. They recruited Residence Life staff people to help promote the program within the residence halls and encourage professors to get students involved.
She said it is not unusual for students to hesitate on a program like this. Some may feel alone or scared or be concerned about the cost.
"The cost is really small compared to how much people spend on cigarettes," Eppinga explained.
The program costs $65 and $33 would be returned to any student who signs up, attends all 7 sessions, and remains smoke-free until May 15th. Also, for students living in the residence halls, one $50 scholarship is offered to help defray costs.
Some students seemed cynical about the program.
"You don't get credit for this class, do you?" asked Andrew Zwart. Another student, who desires to remain anonymous, said, "I was very interested in signing up for [the class] but it's something that me, as an off-campus person, cannot afford with rent and books and food and everything."
Eppinga said Health Services is interested in sponsoring another "Freedom From Smoking" program in the fall if students are interested then.
The problem is many students still see smoking as very appealing. One student, Andrew Weeber, said he has tried quitting four or five times but he always starts up again because of the social aspect.
"It's incredibly social for me," he commented. "Those gathered outside for a cigarette are much more inclusive than those gathered inside for a coffee."
Weeber also said smoking is a stress release for him. According to the Michigan Substance Abuse and Traffic Safety Information Center, "Most smokers are dependent, and keep smoking to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Other factors can contribute. Some keep smoking partly out of nervousness, or habit or because others around them smoke."
During 1992, 25.5% of the Michigan adult population smoked cigarettes. As a result, Michigan has the tenth highest smoking rate in the nation.
If this percentage is applied to Calvin, approximately 1,000 students could be smokers.
According to the "Freedom From Smoking" brochure, 89% of daily smokers started smoking by age 18. Each year in Michigan, the tobacco industry recruits more than 200,000 new smokers to replace those who quit or die.
Even the U.S. government is taking an active role in the smoking issue. As part of "Healthy People 2000," a statement issued by the U.S. Department of Health, tobacco was listed as one of the top three concentrations for health promotion.
According to the statement, "Many of the most important risk factors for chronic disease in later years also have their roots in youthful behavior."
The statement continued, "The earlier the cigarette smoking begins, for example, the less likely the smoker is to quit." Thus, some goals to reduce the use of tobacco by the year 200 have been set. They hope to reduce cigarette smoking prevalence to no more than 15% of adults and to reduce initiation of smoking to no more than 15% by age 20.
Health Services across the United States are being encouraged to join in the project of educating and helping high school and college students in this area.
The Calvin College Health Services is committed to being a part of the solution to this equation. Eppinga says that decreasing smoking on campus will remain one of their goals for the future. Until another formal on-campus program quit smoking program comes to Calvin, students can pick up self-help kits from Health Services.
Although Eppinga is willing to aid students in any way possible, she says self-help quit smoking programs generally do not go as well.
"People generally need a support group. You have to have a couple of sessions to prepare for quitting," she said.