Tobacco Awareness
on Campus
COLLEGES AGAINST CANCERSM AND COLLEGIATE MISSION TOOLKIT
©2007 American Cancer Society, Inc. – 7548.76
Facts on Tobacco:
Use these facts from Cancer Facts and Figures 2007 at meetings, on posters, and in
awareness activities.
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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men
and women.
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Lung cancer is the most preventable form of cancer death.
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Eighty-seven percent of lung cancer deaths can be attributed to tobacco use.
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Lung cancer estimates for 2007:
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New cases: 213,380
Males: 114,760
Females: 98,620
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Deaths: 160,390
Males: 89,510
Females: 70,880
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Think you do not really smoke if you only smoke on a Friday or Saturday? Think
again! All cigarettes can damage the human body – any smoking is dangerous.
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Cigarettes are the only legal product whose advertised and intended use – smoking
– is harmful to the body and causes cancer.
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Although some people try to make their smoking habit safer by smoking fewer
cigarettes, most smokers find that hard to do. Research has found that even smoking
as few as one to four cigarettes a day can lead to serious health outcomes, including
an increased risk of heart disease and a higher risk of dying at a younger age.
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Any use of tobacco products is addictive and has negative health effects.
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Besides lung cancer, tobacco use also causes increased risk for cancer of the mouth,
nasal cavities, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder,
uterine cervix, and myeloid leukemia. (Source: Cancer Prevention and Early Detection 2005)
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In 2006, an estimated 170,000 cancer deaths were caused by tobacco use. (Source:
Cancer Prevention and Early Detection 2006)
Please visit
www.RelayForLife.org.
1.800.ACS.2345
www.cancer.org
Hope.Progress.Answers®
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Tobacco use accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths and 87 percent of
lung cancer deaths. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007)
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Cigarette smoking among adults aged 18 and older declined 48 percent between
1965 and 2005 – from 42 percent to 21 percent; nevertheless, an estimated 45
million Americans are current smokers. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007)
COLLEGES AGAINST CANCER AND COLLEGIATE MISSION TOOLKIT
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Tobacco Awareness on Campus
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In 1997, nearly one-half (48 percent) of male high school students and more than
one-third (36 percent) of female students reported using some form of tobacco
– cigarettes, cigars, or oral tobacco products – in the past month. The percentages
declined to 32 percent for male students and 25 percent for female students in 2005.
(Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2007)
Tobacco
Awareness
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Each year, about 3,000 nonsmoking adults die of lung cancer as a result of breathing
secondhand smoke. In addition, secondhand smoke causes an estimated 35,000
deaths from heart disease in people who are not current smokers. (Source: Cancer
Facts and Figures 2007)
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Among adults age 18 and older, national data showed 6 percent of men and 1 percent
of women were current users of chewing tobacco or snuff. Nationwide, 14 percent
of US male high school students and 2 percent of female high school students in the
United States were currently using chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip in 2005. (Source:
Cancer Facts and Figures 2007)
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Oral tobacco products contain 28 cancer-causing agents (carcinogens). Using these
products is a known cause of human cancer, as it increases the risk of developing
cancer of the oral cavity. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web
site, Smokeless Tobacco Fact Sheet, 2005)
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Smokeless tobacco use can lead to nicotine addiction and dependence.
Some Additional Facts (Source: The Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium (TTAC))
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Smokeless tobacco users and pipe and cigar smokers are more susceptible to mouth
cancer, cancer of the larynx, and cancer of the esophagus (NIDA, 1999).
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College students who smoke have higher rates of respiratory infections and asthma
as well as a higher incidence of bacterial meningitis, especially among freshman
living in dorms (Halperin, 2002).
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Women smokers with human papillomavirus (HPV) are at increased risk of
progressing to cervical dysplasia or cancer. Women who smoke and use oral
contraceptive pills are at higher risk for thromboembolic diseases such as stroke
(Halperin, 2002).
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Of the 15 million college students in the United States today, it is estimated that 1.7
million will die of smoking-related illnesses, most prematurely (Halperin, 2002). That
amounts to more than 10 percent of current college students.
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The Harvard College Alcohol Study determined that student tobacco users are 4.62
times more likely to smoke marijuana and 3.6 times more likely to engage in highrisk drinking than are nonsmokers (Rigotti, 2000). Smokers are more likely to use
illicit drugs than high-risk drinkers (Halperin and Eytan).
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Smoking is one of the top causes of fires in college student housing. In 1998, there
were almost 1,400 structure fires in dormitories and Greek housing. These cost
schools $5.9 million in direct property damage (NFPA, 2002).
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After cooking, smoking is the leading cause of fire injuries on college campuses
(USFA, 1999). Fires ignited by smoking result in more fatalities than any other cause
of fire (American Cancer Society “Smoke-Free Housing”).
COLLEGES AGAINST CANCER AND COLLEGIATE MISSION TOOLKIT
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Tobacco Awareness on Campus
Did you know?
Tobacco
Awareness
Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of chemicals produced by the burning of tobacco
and the additives. The smoke contains tar, which is made up of more than 4,000
chemicals, including more than 60 known to cause cancer. Some of these substances
cause heart and lung diseases, and all of them can be deadly. You might be surprised to
know some of the chemicals found in cigarette smoke. They include:
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Cyanide
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Benzene
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Formaldehyde
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Methanol (wood alcohol)
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Acetylene (the fuel used in welding torches)
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Ammonia
Cigarette smoke also contains the poisonous gases nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide.
Its main active ingredient is nicotine, an addictive drug.
Remember the 5 Ds to helping a friend quit tobacco:
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Delay: The craving will eventually go away.
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Deep breath: Take a few calming deep breaths.
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Drink water: It will flush out the chemicals.
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Do something else: Find a new habit.
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Discuss: Talk about your thoughts and feelings.
More Information From Your American Cancer Society
The following information may also be helpful. These materials may be ordered from our
toll-free number, 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345):
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Guide to Quitting Smoking (also available in Spanish)
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Questions About Smoking, Tobacco, and Health (also available in Spanish)
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Quitting Spit and Other Forms of Oral Tobacco (also available in Spanish)
Be sure to check out www.cancer.org/greatamericans for information on the American
Cancer Society Great American Smokeout® and for tips and ideas to help friends on
campus quit tobacco. The Great American Smokeout is the third Thursday in November!
For more information, be sure to visit your American Cancer Society online at
www.cancer.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345.
COLLEGES AGAINST CANCER AND COLLEGIATE MISSION TOOLKIT
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Tobacco Awareness on Campus
How to Fight Back Against Big Tobacco
Tobacco
Awareness
Right now, the Society’s sister organization, the American Cancer Society Cancer
Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN) has volunteers around the country taking the first step in
protecting their fellow citizens by advocating for smoke-free states and communities.
Currently, 28 states and the District of Columbia have passed 100 percent smoke-free
workplace bills and the momentum is growing. To get involved in your state’s smoke-free
battle, visit www.acscan.org.
Many states are also working on increasing the tax on tobacco products, which is a
proven way to help prevent young people from starting to smoke. On the federal level,
we continue to fight against big tobacco by trying to get legislation passed to require
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tobacco products. Find out more
ways to get involved by visiting www.acscan.org.
When Smokers Quit – The Health Benefits Over Time
Twenty minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
(“Effect of Smoking on Arterial Stiffness and Pulse Pressure Amplification”, Mahmud, A, Feely, J. 2003.
Hypertension:41:183.)
Twelve hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
(US Surgeon General’s Report, 1988 , p. 202)
Two weeks to three months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung
function increases.
(US Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, pp.193, 194,196, 285, 323)
One to nine months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny
hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs,
increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
(US Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, pp. 285-287, 304)
One year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
(US Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, p. vi)
Five years after quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker five to 15
years after quitting.
(US Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, p. vi)
Ten years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing
smoker’s. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and
pancreas decreases.
(US Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, pp. vi, 131, 148, 152, 155, 164,166)
Fifteen years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker’s.
(US Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, p. vi)
COLLEGES AGAINST CANCER AND COLLEGIATE MISSION TOOLKIT
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Tobacco Awareness on Campus
Help for Cravings and Tough Situations
Tobacco
Awareness
What to Do Right Now to Create a Smoke-free Future
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Drink a lot of water and fruit juice.
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Don’t drink alcohol, coffee, and other beverages that you associate with
smoking.
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Strike up a conversation instead of lighting a match for a cigarette.
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If you miss the feeling of having a cigarette in your hand, play with something
else – such as a pencil, a paperclip, or a marble.
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If you miss the feeling of having something in your mouth, try toothpicks,
cinnamon sticks, or celery.
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Avoid temptation by staying away from situations you associate with
pleasurable smoking.
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Find new habits and create a nonsmoking environment around you.
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Anticipate future situations/crises that might make you want to smoke again,
and remind yourself of your reasons to not give in.
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Take deep, rhythmic breaths similar to smoking to relax.
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Remember your goal and the fact that the urge will eventually pass.
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Think positive thoughts and avoid negative ones.
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Brush your teeth.
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Do brief bursts of exercise (isometrics, pushups, deep knee bends, walking up a
flight of stairs, or touching your toes).
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Call a supportive friend.
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Eat several small meals. This maintains constant blood sugar levels and helps
prevent the urge to smoke. Avoid sugary or spicy foods that trigger a desire for
cigarettes.
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Above all, reward yourself. Plan to do something fun for doing your best.
When You Get the “Crazies”
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Keep oral substitutes handy: carrots, pickles, apples, celery, raisins, or gum.
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Take 10 deep breaths, and hold the last one while lighting a match. Exhale
slowly and blow out the match. Pretend it is a cigarette and put it out in an
ashtray.
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Learn to relax quickly and deeply. Make yourself limp, visualize a soothing,
pleasing situation, and get away from it all for a moment. Concentrate on that
peaceful image and nothing else.
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Never allow yourself to think that “one cigarette won’t hurt,” because it will.
COLLEGES AGAINST CANCER AND COLLEGIATE MISSION TOOLKIT
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Tobacco Awareness on Campus
Tobacco
Awareness
What about more “exotic” forms of smoking tobacco, such as clove
cigarettes, bidis, and hookahs?
Several forms of flavored tobacco have become popular in recent years, especially among
younger people. Clove cigarettes (kreteks), bidis, and, more recently, hookahs, often appeal
to those who want something a little different. They also provide young people with another
way to experiment with tobacco. The false image of these products as clean, natural, and safer
than conventional cigarettes seems to attract some young people who may otherwise not start
smoking. But these products carry many of the same risks of cigarettes and other tobacco
products, and each has its own additional problems associated with it.
Clove cigarettes, also called kreteks, are imported mainly from Indonesia and contain 60
percent to 70 percent tobacco and 30 percent to 40 percent ground cloves, clove oil, and
other additives. The chemicals in cloves have been implicated in cases of asthma and other
lung diseases. Users often have the mistaken notion that smoking clove cigarettes is a safe
alternative to smoking tobacco. But they are a tobacco product with the same health risks as
cigarettes and, in fact, have been shown to deliver more nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar
than conventional cigarettes.
Bidis or “beedies” are flavored cigarettes imported mainly from India. They are hand-rolled
in an unprocessed tobacco leaf and tied with colorful strings on the ends. Their popularity
has grown in recent years in part because they come in a variety of candy-like flavors such as
strawberry, vanilla, and grape; they are usually less expensive than regular cigarettes; and they
often give the smoker an immediate buzz.
Even though bidis contain less tobacco than regular cigarettes, they have higher levels of
nicotine (the addictive chemical in tobacco) and other harmful substances such as tar and
carbon monoxide. Because they are thinner than regular cigarettes, they require about three
times as many puffs per cigarette. They are also unfiltered. Bidis appear to have all of the same
health risks of regular cigarettes, if not more. Bidi smokers have much higher risks of heart
attacks, chronic bronchitis, and some cancers than nonsmokers.
Hookah (or narghile) smoking, which started in the Middle East, involves burning flavored
tobacco in a water pipe and inhaling the smoke through a long hose. It has recently become
popular among young people, especially around college campuses. Hookah smoking is usually
a social event that allows conversation to take place among the smokers as they pass the shared
pipe around. It is marketed as being a safe alternative to cigarettes because the percent of
tobacco in the product smoked is low. This claim is false. The water does not filter out many
of the toxins, and hookah smoke contains varying amounts of nicotine, carbon monoxide,
and other hazardous substances. Several types of cancer have been linked to hookah smoking.
Hookah smoking is also linked to other unique risks not associated with cigarette smoking.
For example, infectious diseases can be spread by pipe sharing or the uncontrolled, manual
preparation of the tobacco used.
All forms of tobacco are dangerous. Even if the health risks were smaller for some tobacco
products as opposed to others, all tobacco products contain nicotine, which can lead to
increased use and addiction. Tobacco cannot be considered safe in any amount or form.
COLLEGES AGAINST CANCER AND COLLEGIATE MISSION TOOLKIT
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Tobacco Awareness on Campus
So what can you do on your campus? Here are some tobacco
awareness ideas from Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) chapters
across the country!
Tobacco
Awareness
Signature Gathering For
Potential Tobacco Tax
Created by: University of California,
Pledge to Stop Tobacco Use
for 24 hours
Davis, California Division
Created by: Bentley College,
New England Division
Event Description:
For two months, we manned a table and
approached people to sign a petition to
increase the tobacco tax in California
by $2.60. Our volunteers always had
clipboards and pens along with voter
registration forms so we could collect
signatures at any time. We helped get
this proposition – Prop 86 – onto the
November 7 election ballot. At the same
time, we educated people on the risks of
using tobacco in all of its forms. We were
very excited to find out we were the top
signature gathering college in California.
Event Description:
For the Great American Smokeout, set up
a table and ask students to sign a pledge
to stop smoking or to stop using tobacco
products for at least 24 hours. Hang
the completed pledge forms on campus
billboards, around the health center, etc.,
to help publicize your efforts. This is also
a great opportunity to pass out turkey
sandwiches (in honor of quitting “cold
turkey”) and tobacco education materials.
Health Fair
Created by: Bloomsburg University,
Great American Smokeout,
Truth Simulation
Created by: Lycoming College,
Pennsylvania Division
Event Description:
During the course of the day, each
participant wore all black clothes and
had on a name tag with the name of
someone who died from a smokingrelated illness. During the course of the
day, the participants did not talk. We did
two simulations. In the simulations, every
eight seconds one of the participants fell
to the ground. After all the participants
fell to the ground, statistics were read for
about eight minutes, and the simulation
ended with two minutes of silence.
Pennsylvania Division
Event Description:
CAC had an information table discussing
American Cancer Society sponsored
programs and events. In conjunction
with the University Health Center, we
used different methods to show students
how smoking affects them. The Health
Center brought breathing tests and we
administered them to students, proving
how smoking can affect their breathing.
The chart showed the level an average
student should be able to reach with
this test and how quitting now would
improve it. We also gave out tips on how
to quit smoking.
COLLEGES AGAINST CANCER AND COLLEGIATE MISSION TOOLKIT
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Tobacco Awareness on Campus
Tobacco
Awareness
Other great ideas
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Contact your campus facilities department and ask if you can fill the ashtrays outside
of the classroom buildings with peppermints.
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Develop sample quit kits. In a plastic bag, put together items that will stimulate a
smoker’s hands and mouth to replace a cigarette’s role. Sample items include gum,
candy, something to chew on such as a pen or plastic spoon, a scented candle to light
in a smoker’s home to get rid of the smell, any toy you can use your fingers to play with
(finger bowling from the dollar store is a favorite), and a When Smoker’s Quit flier
from the American Cancer Society.
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Handing out fliers for your activity with lung cancer facts and figures is an easy way
to promote your event and spread the news to others on campus.
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Visit www.acscan.org and click on the Stop Tobacco Program. You can print your own
cigarette boxes and anti-smoking fliers to pass out to your peers.
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Did you know that an American dies every 72 seconds from tobacco? One school
did a demonstration where they had everyone stay silent and every 72 seconds they
would hit a gong and add a number to a visual running tally they had for the day.
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Another idea for a demonstration is having CAC members and their friends wear
black and volunteer 15 minutes of time. In a high traffic area on campus, have
everyone lay down, and have one person read lung cancer death facts out loud.
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Find a picture of a lung that has been damaged by smoking and staple copies of the
picture to caution tape. Hang this “banner” between a few trees on campus.