‘Half a dozen’ people turn out to smoking cessation classes after Jan. 1 campus-wide ban

Since going into effect last month, the IU smoking ban has raised a variety of different questions, concerns and opinions from students and faculty around campus. Despite the implementation of the smoking ban, IU is providing smoking cessation classes to continue efforts to help smokers kick the habit. \nThe smoking cessation classes, which began last Tuesday, provide support, individualized quit plans and “stop smoking” materials. Similar to the acceptance of the smoking ban, the turnout to the classes has been minimal. \nDespite the slow start, smoking cessation class instructor Neva Cottam is hopeful for the future of the cessation program.\n“So far, since Jan. 1, I have had about half a dozen people come and see me, which is what I had expected,” Cottam said. “There is only going to be about 10 percent of students coming in for help, but I do expect more people to trickle in over time.”\nThe smoking cessation classes are more of a sit-down conversation, Cottam said. While free smoking patches, gum and mints are offered, people at the classes are given the chance to help each other, she said. \nAlthough individual counseling sessions offered at the IU Health Center are producing results, Cottam said she has been seeking out larger audiences and is hoping to be an influence. \n“Our program is expanding and the word is getting out,” Cottam said. “I have been talking with hundreds of students in health classes so that more and more people can become aware of IU’s smoking cessation availability.” \nIn order to make the cessation classes available, the local Monroe Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition needed to apply for a grant to expand cessation offerings, said Jon Macy, coordinator of the Monroe Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition.\nMacy worked to help receive a supplemental grant for the coalition from the state. \n“The main problem we are finding with the smoking cessation efforts is that there is not enough promotion for the classes,” Macy said. “The intent of the grant is to expand tobacco cessation offerings on campus, as well as to run and promote the classes more.”\nThe media expansion for the classes will include radio, television and newspaper advertisements, Macy said. The grant is also being used to train the staff at the Health Center to become better equipped in smoking intervention skills, he said.\nSince the ban went into effect, there has been a noticeable change in peoples’ smoking efforts, Cottam said. \n“People who have come to the classes said that the ban has had an influence on their efforts to quit, but it’s not the only reason,” Cottam said. “People are definitely more secretive about their smoking now.”\nEven with the availability of the classes, students are still having a hard time accepting the ban and the difficulty that quitting entails. \nFreshman Alex Judy is partial to the cessation offerings.\n“I think it’s a nice idea to offer the classes, but I still think the ban is fascist,” Judy said. “I assume that most smokers aren’t trying to quit. I would like to stop smoking, but as of now, I don’t have much motivation.”\nWith the expansion of smoking cessation offerings, smoke-free effects are expected to progress along with smokers’ desire to kick the habit, Cottam said. \n“Many people who smoke today started when they were in college,” she said. “I’m hoping to be more proactive and help students at an earlier stage in their lives.”