CSULB to host 'Smokeout'

By Rachel Furlong
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer

The Cal State Long Beach Health Science Student Association (HSSA) will participate in the Great American Smokeout Nov. 18 with an event featuring games educational information regarding cigarette smoking and free give-aways, such as quit kits.

The Great American Smokeout is sponsored by the American Cancer Society, and traditionally takes place on the third Thursday of November. Each year, the American Cancer Society promotes both local and nationwide activities centered on the benefits of not smoking.

The concept of setting aside a day to recognize the harmful effects of smoking and the benefits of quitting began in the early 1970s. In 1977 the idea went nationwide with the sponsorship of the American Cancer Society. In past years, as many as one-third of the nation's 46 million smokers have taken the day off from smoking to honor the Great American Smokeout.

The rules are that smokers refrain from smoking for 24 hours. The theme is that it should be easier for smokers to kick their habit if they are not alone in the endeavor. Ideally, people who abstain from smoking during the Smokeout will not be alone, and they can swap jokes, advice and support with others who are trying to quit.

During the day, thousands of American Cancer Society volunteers around the country visit schools, malls and workplaces to publicize the events and distribute information about quitting smoking. The volunteers also try to get nonsmokers to—"adopt" for a day someone they know who smokes, supporting their decision to quit with advice and snacks.

Cristina Mosquera of HSSA said there will be many activities on campus including a game where students guess which celebrities smoke. The association will be distributing quit kits with supplies like nail files and chewing gum. Also, anyone who turns in a pack of cigarettes will receive prizes such as T-shirts and footballs.

The event will also feature a graveyard with fake tombstones along the Friendship Walk, featuring the names of celebrities who have died from smoking.

"People can come by and bring pictures of people they know who have died from smoking or who smoke now and create tombstones for them," Mosquera said.

In addition to HSSA, the CSULB Center for Health Care Innovation Tobacco Control Program, the Health Centers Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Prevention Program, Campuses Organized and United for Good Health, the American Cancer Society and the Long Beach Department of Health Tobacco Control and Prevention Program are collaborating to put together the event.

Erin Wheatley, a student at CSULB said that she plans to quit smoking for the day.

"It's a nice idea, but I'm not sure how much impact games and fake tombstones will have on my addiction," Wheatley said.