After more than three months into the installment of the campus-wide smoking ban, there have been at least 25 people fined for smoking, according to Stephanie Bathurst, peer educator for the Dowell Health Center.
Bathurst said that the fines for smoking on campus are $75 for the first offense and can rise to $300 for additional offenses. The majority of those fined were found smoking in their cars on campus, in garages and parking lots.
In an attempt to help smokers kick the habit, the Dowell Health Center hosted the great American Smokeout last week.
The great American Smokeout is an annual event in the United States that encourages people who use tobacco products to smoke less, or to quit for at least one day.
Junior Raven Howell, a peer educator for Dowell, said that she hoped the event would help smokers lessen their tobacco use and eventually quit for good.
“We hope that students will come and want to quit smoking for a healthier lifestyle,” Howell said.
The health center gave out free “Quit Kits” at the smokeout, with candy, rubber bands, a stress ball and information pamphlets on how to become a former smoker, as well as the health risks of smoking. Howell said the items in the bag are designed to help people keep their minds off smoking.
“We’re giving out a stress ball for when you want to smoke,” Howell said. “You can squeeze the ball and fight the urge to smoke.”
Bathurst said that smoking can be a very habitual action, so keeping smokers’ hands or mouths busy is a very helpful way to cut back on tobacco use. She also said that smoking is stress related, so squeezing a ball or stretching a rubber band can help relieve stress in a healthier way.
“We want to reiterate the health risks of smoking so that smokers can stop at a young age,” Bathurst said. “Especially since smoking on campus was banned and the fines are becoming more prevalent.”
The Dowell Health Center also holds classes throughout the semester for people who are trying to quit the habit. however, Bathurst said the events could have better turnouts.
“The programs the health center offers have not been successful,” Bathurst said. “There are usually about five to 10 people there, so out of 22,000 people, that isn’t very good.”
Bathurst said she believes the programs aren’t popular because they are not advertised well, so the health center is working on ways to get the word out.
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