Study: 11 percent fewer college smokers than in ‘90s

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By Najah Allouch

A falling economy and health concerns may factor in to the number of people who smoke, said students and experts in the field.

A report released this fall by the American Lung Association titled “Big Tobacco on Campus: Ending the Addiction” found that 19.2 percent of college students smoke, down from a peak of 30.6 percent in 1999.

Music performance junior Charlie Lockhart said he looks for “buy-one, get-one” packs of cigarettes and tries to cut down.

“I can’t afford to smoke,” said Charlie Lockhart, a music performance junior. “Smoking’s not a necessity.”
Clint Reynolds, another UK student, is not a smoker but he uses chewing tobacco and also noticed a rise in the price. However, he said it did not bother him.

“I choose the cheaper brand,” he said.

Economic worries may trouble smokers, but stress may actually bring more students to light up.

Along with economic trouble, health concerns and more smoke-free areas may be the reason for a drop in smokers.

Lexington is currently smoke-free in public establishments, but Erika Sward, the director of national advocacy for the American Lung Association said more must be done for the state with the highest number of lung cancer rates in the country.

“The ALA calls on Kentucky to increase the number of communities with smoke-free laws,” Sward said.

Dr. Ellen Hahn of the UK College of Nursing, along with Dr. Ruth Staten, conducted a study to see whether there was a decrease in smoking among students at UK after noticing a decrease in Kentucky after the smoking ban was passed.

In spring 2004, a random survey of about 900 UK students found 28 percent smoked. In fall 2007, a survey of 469 students showed 19 percent smoked.

Dr. Hahn said it is not known what exactly is the cause of the decline, but there is an association between the smoking law and smoking rates among UK students.

“Studies show that a smoke-free environment can help students stop smoking, and that is good,” Dr. Hahn said. “It can help reduce risks of all kinds of diseases as they grow older and improving quality of their lives and reducing the financial burdens of smoking.”