It has been two years since the University of Idaho made the healthy leap to becoming a tobacco-free campus.
This policy went into effect after a passionate student group pushed for the policy to promote a cleaner and healthier campus by limiting exposure to smoke as well as support individuals who choose to quit or cut back on their nicotine use. There are many health benefits to quitting nicotine. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), it only takes 20 minutes for your blood pressure and heart rate to drop after quitting and after one year the risk of coronary heart disease is half that of someone who uses nicotine.
When you hear the word tobacco, your mind might jump to cigarettes or even chewing tobacco, but you may not have realized that e-cigarettes and vaping devices are also prohibited in the tobacco-free policy.
If you are interested in quitting nicotine, you are not alone. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2015, seven in 10 adults who smoke wanted to quit. Quitting can be challenging, but there are support systems available.
On campus support includes the Freshstart cessation program, the Counseling and Testing Center and an annual Collegiate Smokeout.
Jed Sharrard | Courtesy
The Collegiate Smokeout is coming up on Nov. 15 and is a campus event to celebrate individuals’ choices to quit or cut back on their use. Regardless of where someone is at in the process — whether they are choosing to smoke one less cigarette now, quitting chew ten years ago — or are just contemplating quitting, this event celebrates people making those choices. Our Collegiate Smokeout has its roots in a national event called the Great American Smokeout with a very similar goal: to have a day to celebrate the choice to live a healthier and safer life by choosing to cut out nicotine.
Vandal Health Education is teaming up with Public Health — Idaho North Central District and Project Filter, an Idaho based tobacco prevention and control program to host this event from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Idaho Commons Plaza. You can stop by and meet Project Filter — trained professional motocross athletes, pick up some free Quit Kits, grab free hot chocolate for the November chill and win some prize giveaways.
This event is held right before fall break, so it is a great opportunity to find ways to better support people in your life who may be looking to quit or cut back as well as bring information and resources back to your friends and family. Anyone with an Idaho mailing address also qualifies for free support and nicotine replacement therapy through Project Filter at 1-800-QUITNOW.
In addition to Collegiate Smokeout, the University of Idaho also offers Freshstart, an hour long tobacco cessation class that is offered year-round. This class is free to all students, faculty and staff. The program provides personalized support for individuals who are thinking about quitting or cutting back on their use. Visit uidaho.edu/tobacco-free for more information.
Some related quit tips from the American Cancer Society that may come in handy during the holiday season. Stretch your meals out, eat slowly, keep busy and find supportive friends and family who will help you in your journey to cutting back or quitting nicotine. When trying to quit or cut back, support can make all the difference.
Jed Sharrard can be reached at [email protected]