Clouds of tobacco smoke fill the air as groups of students socialize next to Smith Hall. Cigarette butts are scattered on the campus grounds.
"Yes, I have tried to quit," said freshman physical therapy major Rachelle Quinan.
Quinan, who began smoking at the beginning of the fall semester, said that the habit has not affected her too much.
"It's bad for your health," Quinan said, generalizing the effects it has had on over a million people worldwide.
Cigarette smoking has caused more deaths than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides and murders combined, according to Dr. Kenneth Ward's research on tobacco facts, the principal investigator for The University's Center for Community Health.
"One-third of smokers die from smoking, not counting others who get sick," said Dr. Leslie Robinson, an associate professor in the department of psychology.
Robinson said smoking is worse than all the drugs combined.
"It's an addiction," said Jacqueline DeFouw, U of M health educator.Smoking has been the direct cause of cancers in the lungs, the throat and the mouth, DeFouw said.
The University's Center for Community Health and the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center are running a program that welcomes The University's student smokers to join.
Its main goal is to increase former smokers' long-term quit rates, said project coordinator Mary Read.
"LEAP, Lifestyle Enhancement Program, is a lifestyle-based approach to smoking cessation, utilizing health education and training, in addition to nicotine replacement therapy and behavioral therapies," Read said.
The program is designed to help smokers quit a habit that has been labeled as the number one cause of death. The trial part of the program is also free for smokers between 18 to 65 years of age.
The program divides participants into two groups, Read said.
"One group will receive exercise instruction and the other group will receive health and wellness intervention," Read said.
Read said the program enrolls participants in a one-year program and gives them behavioral counseling. The program also gives each participant a six-week supply of nicotine patches.
So far the program is in its second year and has enrolled over 50 participants.
"We are looking for 350 more," Read said.
For more information contact the recruitment office at 678-1672.
