Priority Populations
First Year Students
Away from home and exploring their newfound freedom, first year students may represent the most vulnerable population to start smoking on college. The absence of parental control, combined with a desire to fit in, may turn students who rarely smoked before college into addicted users. Residence hall students in smoking-optional halls are at high risk because they may develop new friendships with smokers and take up the habit themselves. Smoking is also seen as a way to socialize with others who are clustered together outside.
Fraternity and Sorority Members
Fraternity and Sorority members are highly social and may combine smoking with their party behavior. Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Maryland's unpublished data found approximately 60% of sorority women smoke. (Study done in late 1990s. [Hancock, 2003]) We also know that smokeless tobacco companies have targeted fraternities with their promotions.
College Baseball Players and Other Men's Teams
Athletes, especially baseball players and rodeo club members, may use spit tobacco more frequently than others. On numerous campuses, spit tobacco use is highest in these groups. Aathletes may also smoke cigarettes while not in training.
Art Students/Theater Students
Smoking is often subconsciously reinforced for art students. While in long studio classes, instructors may dismiss students for regular breaks. When the entire class takes a break, it can turn into one large smoking club. For theater students, what's more dramatic than a tortured character puffing on a smoke? Whether used as a prop or as a symbol for artistic freedom, theater students often show a much higher rate of tobacco use.
GLBT Students
Among the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) community, there is evidence that suggests tobacco use exceeds that of the general population. In fact, preliminary studies indicate that lesbians and gay men are 40-70% more likely to smoke than heterosexuals. Smoking is often a stress management mechanism, particularly for those in the process of coming out.
Women (Especially those in majors where weight is an issue)
Let's face it -- weight tends to be an issue for women. Smoking is often associated with maintaining a lower weight. So for women students in majors where body weight is an issue, such as performance or fashion, smoking may become a common habit.
Sources:
1. www.smokefreecampus.org/prevention.html
2. www.ttac.org/college/facts/high-risk.html
3. www.lgbthealth.net/downloads/tobacco/factsheets/smokingcleanair.pdf |
