Smoke 'em if you got 'em... or not

A new report by the American Lung Association describes the current status of tobacco use and policies on college and university campuses in the United States (link to full report). This report has some interesting details... including that 1 in 5 college students smokes cigarettes (or about 19%). Examining the same age group that is NOT in college shows 35% are smokers. The 19% college smokers is the lowest rate in nearly 30 years. Of course, the cigarette industry knows this and is looking to get you on board! Some interesting facts about smoking related to college students:

• In 2005, the tobacco industry spent more than $1 million per day targeting and marketing cigarettes to college students like you!
• Cigarette smoking is significantly higher in individuals with lower education levels and lower income levels
• A recent survey showed that nursing students were more than 4 times as likely to be smokers compared to medical students on the same campus (Ref).
  
• In 2005, tobacco companies spent $13.1 billion to market cigarettes. Imagine how much profit they are making in order to spend this much money getting you to buy them!
• The peak in college smokers seems to have been 1999 with 30% reportedly smoking.
• Recent declines in college smoking are due partly to the higher prices of cigarettes
• According to their own documents, tobacco companies market to "occasional smokers" such as college students in order to create new "everyday smokers."

Oh by the way, smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, although I believe obesity is catching up. Plus, smoking makes you smell bad... peeeww. Thank you for smoking ;)








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