HEALTH
driven cigarette smoking out of public view. Thanks to
smoke-free laws, tobacco is banned on airplanes, in government
buildings and a growing number of bars, restaurants
and college campuses. The sun has set on the days when
tobacco was marketed to spring break students.
High school SWAT members transition to college chapters.
Dr. Patricia Corey, director of the Health and Wellness Center
at Indian River State College says what is most inspiring is
their determination and motivation — along with their willingness
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to work against the industry.
“Since 2015, IRSC has been the recipient of the American
Legacy Tobacco Prevention Grant,” Corey explains. “The
goal was to explore the possibility of creating a tobacco-free
environment on all IRSC campuses.”
A Tobacco Prevention Task Force was established to explore
campus attitudes about tobacco use and in August, the
school’s board of trustees approved a policy change making
IRSC a tobacco-free and smoke-free campus.
Under the policy, smoking and the use of any form of loose
leaf and smokeless tobacco products in all facilities and areas
owned or leased by the college is prohibited. The policy
covers new technologies (e-cigarettes), too. All employees,
students, guests and members of the public are required to
adhere to the policy.
Equipped with a tobacco-free website, IRSC eliminated
specific trash receptacles while providing tobacco cessation
options. The two-hour Tools to Quit class is free and replaced
the traditional six-week smoking cessation program. Participants
develop a quit plan, identify triggers and receive information
on dealing with cravings and nicotine withdrawal
symptoms.
Additionally, if medically appropriate, participants are
eligible to receive free nicotine replacement in the form of
patches, gum, or lozenges along with support via phone, text,
or the web. Obtaining help through counseling or medications
can increase the chances of quitting successfully.
DID YOU KNOW?
Some people can quit abruptly; others may lack confidence and
may need encouragement. As with weight loss, there are support
systems and alternatives to reach goals and attain a desired outcome.
Accused of a 50-year conspiracy to deceive Americans
about the hazards of smoking, ignore development of safer
cigarettes and target youth as new customers, Big Tobacco
hid behind a smokescreen. Its mantra, “I believe nicotine
is not addictive,” was echoed by executives who denied
culpability before congressional panels. Yet, the high cost of
state-supported healthcare and the toll of death and disease
proved otherwise. When the 1964 landmark surgeon general’s
report was issued, the public took notice.
The end of the 20th century marked a shift in public
perceptions of tobacco as litigation exposed the industry
after four decades of failed cases. Florida, with three other
states — Texas, Mississippi and Minnesota — settled with the
tobacco industry before the Master Settlement Agreement of
1998, resulting in the largest, individual legal settlements in
history — $40 billion.
There are approximately 100 toxicants in mainstream
cigarette smoke that penetrate the lungs — ammonia, arsenic,
benzene, cadmium, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, hydrogen
cyanide and isoprene to name a few. Cigarettes are extensively
engineered in the tobacco leaf process to be delivery
devices for nicotine and other ingredients.
SWAT teens know most people smoke for the calming
effect, though addicted, die from the tars and other cancercausing
chemicals. For them, the health threat is real. Healthcare
providers say the most effective way of quitting is to use
nicotine replacement therapy along with behavioral support,
while those in another camp say e-cigarettes are a safer
alternative to smoking. Many see them as a low nicotine,
life-saving alternative that frees them from cigarettes.
IS VAPING HEALTHY?
A firestorm is brewing that health professionals and antismoking
proponents agree is a grey area: vaping. Nicotine,
one of the most addictive substances known to mankind, is
at issue. E-cigarettes could renormalize smoking and calls for
global regulation have divided opinions among healthcare
experts. In the U.S., bans on e-cigarette TV advertising do not
apply.
Seen as a breezeway to target young smokers, vaping — a
$32 billion global market — is blowing away tobacco. Sweetened
by luscious flavors like bubblegum and sexy names, the
lithium-powered devices are on the radar for regulation and
Big Tobacco is attempting to clean up its tarry image by rolling
out its alternative: e-tank starter kits.
It seems that Big Tobacco has come full circle, entering a
harm reduction phase, taking a new position as good corporate
citizens while switching gears to introduce a new generation
to electronic nicotine. It’s compact. It’s hip. And the trend
has lit up entrepreneurship.
Worth billions in the global market and growing, e-cigarettes
were first developed in China by a chain-smoker and
introduced to the U.S. market in 2007. Big gets even bigger
as tobacco manufacturers double-dip in two markets — their
defense being, since caffeine is a drug and soda companies
are allowed to sell flavored water and soft drinks sweetened
with high-fructose corn syrup, why shouldn’t they be allowed
to sell e-cigarettes and tobacco.
The latest data (2015) shows that the efforts of Tobacco Free
Florida have helped reduce the state cigarette smoking rate to
a record low. Its campaign offers free cessation help through
education, support groups and motivational tips.
“At the end of the day, tobacco companies have money, but
we have the future on our side,” Sebastian Suarez says. E