We have long passed the point when anyone can argue that there is not a link between smoking and plethora of physical ailments. Even so, recent studies have shown that smoking on college campuses—the very places where behaviors based on informed choices should be exemplified—has increased 10 percent in the ten years from 1991 to 2001. At the same time, smoking among high school students appears to be decreasing. So why does it jump in college? It appears that in college, when surrounded by those who smoke, many young people take up the habit. This is not helped by the fact that, despite repeated denials, the tobacco companies have been targeting teenagers and college students. Many students who do not smoke when they enter college start smoking after being around those who do. A recent Harvard study found that students who live in smoke-free dorms are 40% less likely to smoke in college, compared to those who live in dorms where smoking is allowed. At the same time, another study found that 30% of the students who live in dorms that allow smoking would prefer to live in smoke-free dorms. Unfortunately, for many colleges the smoking issue is based on economics. These colleges don't want to risk losing the tuition represented by students who smoke. Even so, some colleges are putting health before money, and banning smoking in dorms. But the tobacco companies are fighting back, primarily by surreptitiously funneling tens of millions of dollars into political coffers. The tobacco companies have successfully derailed or stalled many anti-smoking campaigns. But, since general public attitudes about smoking have now changed, these efforts--both legal and illegal--are taking place quietly and with little public notice. |
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