Smoking remains prevalent among college students

by Cristina Daglas, Deputy News Editor

Colleges nationwide are plagued with alcohol and drug problems, with alcohol an illegal substance for nearly half of the undergraduate population and drugs illegal for all. However, one of the biggest problems on campuses is both legal and deadly. This commonly acknowledged problem is smoking.

As reported in the College Alcohol Study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health in 2000, nearly half of students questioned had used a tobacco product at some point during their lives and more than 30 percent currently did. These numbers continue to rise, with 35.8 percent of college students smoking now. Experts believe these percentages will keep increasing with tobacco ad campaigns remaining strong and heavily directed toward this group of individuals, as well as other factors that play into the situation.

“It’s a problem nationwide,” UW Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Tammy Sims said. “[Smoking] is increasing in certain populations and the college population is one that we’ve seen increase.”

When advertising shifted away from children in the late ’80s and early ’90s, the shift came to the ‘legal ones,’ the 18 year olds who are commonly college students.

David Ahrens, Research Program Manager at the UW Cancer Center, explained how he often talks to students in classes about smoking and always asks the students in the class how many smoke cigarettes. He said there are usually a decent number of students who raise their hands in reply, which leads him to his next question.

“How many of you believe you have been influenced by advertising?” he asks. No one raises their hands, and yet studies show otherwise.

“Students always say they haven’t been influenced by advertising, but when [the tobacco industry] shifted their advertising from children to young adults, the sweep of addiction was felt across campuses everywhere.”

UW students, in particular, are seen smoking while walking down State Street, while lounging on Bascom Hill and while making their way to class.

“We get an enhanced picture of smoking because people can’t smoke in buildings,” Ahrens said. “Gives you the true representation of everyone who smokes because everyone who smokes is outside smoking.”

Many experts believe that perhaps “forcing” these smokers outside, so to speak, will discourage the act and reduce the numbers. Madison restaurants are smoke-free, and the entire states of New York and California are smoke-free as well. Sims said these ordinances will prove beneficial to people and communities, especially on college campuses.

However, Ahrens said he did not think a citywide ordinance of the sort would be as effective in Madison as in other places. He said that a smoke-free bar, for example, would never succeed in the downtown area, but he said “forcing” the smokers outside will decrease the percentages.

“Even smokers don’t want to smoke — they are just addicted,” Sims said. “Limiting the number of places they can go and smoke will discourage smoking …. Most people actually favor the ban in New York. Revenue has increased now that people can go anywhere and breathe clean air, so that’s a good thing.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard School of Public Health reported in the September 2003 issue of the journal Tobacco Control that college students as a whole are strongly supporting tobacco control polices on campuses that look to reduce smoking. Students apparently favored policies ranging from smoke-free dormitories to the complete ban of tobacco company advertising and sponsorship of campus events.

Studies have also shown that having smoke-free dormitories reduces the prevalence of smoking on campus.

However, if students are showing such strong opposition to smoking, then why do so many choose to continue the habit?

Sims noted what she referred to as a “culture” on college campuses that promotes the uptake of this activity. She also noted the prevalence of smoking among females. Ahrens felt similarly and was more concerned than anything else when it came to the issue.

“One thing I find particularly troubling is that young women are smoking more than men,” Ahrens said. “The marketing is stronger, and the myth making about weight control has a powerful influence on young women.” She added that differences in the importance of athletic attributes between men and women also contribute.

“That’s a really important problem for the future, given that we know that around 100 percent know what the problems are … it’s troubling,” Ahrens said.

Sims also noted the social aspect as one of the main driving forces that lead students to smoke.

“[Smoking] is the perfect culture for friendships and other partner type relationships,” she said.