The Leader

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With the Union freshly smoke-free and the rest of campus reportedly slated to follow suit in July of 2007, there is something that people are beginning to understand: this isn't a world for smokers anymore.

It is becoming more and more apparent with every ban, bill and piece of legislation passed. Many American cities are becoming smoke-free, including Milwaukee possibly sometime in the future.

When asked if she sees the effects of smoking on the student smoker population (most of whom have been smoking for five years or less), nurse Colleen Bernstein of the Norris Health Center said she does.

"The effects of smoke begin five minutes after you start smoking, the heart rate goes up," Bernstein said. "Especially after years of smoking I see students having problems with working out or physical activity."

With all of this emphasis on the dangers inherent in smoking, is now the time to quit?

"No, at least not until you're ready to," said Bernstein, a health promotion services educator at Norris. "Smoking is a right and we aren't trying to force people to quit."

Even for a casual smoker, quitting can lead to weeks of jittery cravings that try even the most strong-willed individuals' resolve. For a heavy smoker, going cold turkey is akin to descending into the depths of madness.

The rate of successfully quitting without help is a dismal three percent to seven percent, and even with help it can take up to eight tries to stay smoke-free for an entire year (the generally accepted measure of "quitting"). Overall, the rate of success for cessation hovers at around 33 percent.

It is not a decision to be taken lightly, no matter how good the reason for doing it. However, this is not a path that needs to be taken alone. There are many services that are available to the smoker. Some people take medicine; others use the same approach to smoking cessation as they do to quit alcohol or other drugs: by going to support groups.

For those looking to do it on their own, Norris should be the first stop. They offer nicotine patches over the counter at a reduced cost (30 percent off the drugstore price). Norris can also prescribe Zyban (Bupropion), a mild antidepressant that when used with the patch can help reduce the need for cigarettes. This is usually prescribed for three months, and at $66 a month can be a pretty hefty investment for a college student.

However, $66 a month is pretty much what the average smoker pays (it works out to about four packs a week).

Quitting alone may not be the right thing for everybody. That is why Norris offers consultation on quitting. If a group setting is a better situation they will advise that, or if the students' schedule conflicts with the groups then they also offer one-on-one consultations.

When big tobacco was asked to pay a huge settlement a few years back, every state received a percentage of the cash. Wisconsin's share went to developing the Wisconsin Quit Line. This is a free service that walks a quitter through the process and provides support and advice on how to become-and remain-smoke-free.

Even with fears from business owners that a ban will cut as much as a third of smoking establishment's income when it goes into effect, the Milwaukee Common Council still put it to vote. They feel that the health concerns outweigh the grumblings of business owners who stand to lose revenue.

A recent newsletter published by several smoke-free coalitions from around southeastern Wisconsin said that a loss of revenue might not be the case. This letter examined the aftermath of both Appleton and Madison's bans on smoking and came up with some findings that look rather positive to the business owners.

In Appleton only one bar has closed since the ban came into effect last July; this is the lowest number of bar closings in five years according to city officials.

Quitting isn't for everybody; in fact, some people really like to smoke regardless of any consequences. But if it's time to quit, students can call for help on the Wisconsin help line at 1-877-270-STOP, drop by Norris to pick up medications or sign up for classes. The road to being smoke-free does not need to be a solitary one-help is out there.

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