Spring Break
Student Health Services offers class to quit smoking
Program includes doctor discussing nicotine-replacement strategies
Emily Hartwig
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: News
Senior Laura Eppert said she has smoked for about two years, but recently decided it was time to give up the habit for health reasons.
Yet quitting on her own has been a challenge, she said, which is why she was glad when her friend, senior Kyle Zander, told her about a test program for a peer-based support group for smokers trying to quit.
"It just sounds like a great way to quit," Eppert said.
A new research program through Student Health Services offers students the opportunity to quit smoking in a small-group setting, using incentives, discussions and peer support. The Offices of Research and Sponsored Programs, SHS and Student Development and Diversity are funding the smoking cessation program.
Zander is the student collaborator SHS hired to organize the research side of the project. The purpose of the program, is to "give people the resources to quit smoking," he said.
Ashley Borman, a 2007 Eau Claire graduate and the program's coordinator, said there used to be a peer-based support group on-campus for people trying to quit
smoking, but interest faded. SHS is hoping to bring the program back if enough students are interested, she said.
"We're hoping that people who join and participate will look to other participants for support and friendship," Borman said.
According to Eau Claire's 2006 CORE Survey, about 30 percent of Eau Claire students have used tobacco in the last month. Eighteen percent of all tobacco users at the university started between the ages of 18 and 20.
Eppert is one of those students who started smoking when she got to college, she said, adding that quitting will improve her quality of life, since it's easier for her to exercise when she doesn't smoke.
"I definitely feel better when I'm not smoking," she said.
Eppert added that a program with friends will help her to quit, since she's participating with someone she knows.
There is a definite advantage to quitting at the same time as other people, Zander said.
Yet quitting on her own has been a challenge, she said, which is why she was glad when her friend, senior Kyle Zander, told her about a test program for a peer-based support group for smokers trying to quit.
"It just sounds like a great way to quit," Eppert said.
A new research program through Student Health Services offers students the opportunity to quit smoking in a small-group setting, using incentives, discussions and peer support. The Offices of Research and Sponsored Programs, SHS and Student Development and Diversity are funding the smoking cessation program.
Zander is the student collaborator SHS hired to organize the research side of the project. The purpose of the program, is to "give people the resources to quit smoking," he said.
Ashley Borman, a 2007 Eau Claire graduate and the program's coordinator, said there used to be a peer-based support group on-campus for people trying to quit
smoking, but interest faded. SHS is hoping to bring the program back if enough students are interested, she said.
"We're hoping that people who join and participate will look to other participants for support and friendship," Borman said.
According to Eau Claire's 2006 CORE Survey, about 30 percent of Eau Claire students have used tobacco in the last month. Eighteen percent of all tobacco users at the university started between the ages of 18 and 20.
Eppert is one of those students who started smoking when she got to college, she said, adding that quitting will improve her quality of life, since it's easier for her to exercise when she doesn't smoke.
"I definitely feel better when I'm not smoking," she said.
Eppert added that a program with friends will help her to quit, since she's participating with someone she knows.
There is a definite advantage to quitting at the same time as other people, Zander said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
shauna
posted 6/21/08 @ 12:37 AM CST
kyle its shauna from san marcos high school me and jon santiago use to swim in youre pool. is this you.
Post a Comment