Campuses join in national Smokeout
by KC Jones and Lauren Crider

    Smokers nationwide are encouraged to participate in the Great American Smokeout Thursday, Nov. 15, by smoking less or quitting.

    Since this American Cancer Society event went national 25 years ago, society has changed its view on tobacco and smoking.

    Ten million Americans are expected to participate in the event.

    All TCC campuses also will support the Smokeout.

    Barbara Glenn, nurse on NE Campus, has a unique approach to counseling smokers.

    “I try to find out where a person is in their smoking. I can give them reasons to quit, give them information and support,” she said.

Glenn will hang If Not Now, When? posters for public awareness of the Great American Smokeout’s 25th anniversary.

    “I just want to get them to think about it,” she said.

    South and SE campuses can provide information and advice for participants.

    All of the campus health services offices have informative pamphlets regarding the consequences of tobacco use and methods to stop smoking.

    The American Heart Association’s booklet Children and Smoking: A Message to Parents offers interesting facts about the addiction and health problems related to smoking tobacco.

    “Each year, second-hand smoke causes up to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis in children less than 18 months old,” the brochure says.

    The Surgeon General has called smoking the single most preventable cause of death.

    Each year cigarette smoking contributes to over 400,000 deaths in the United States.

    Although society views smoking as less favorable, an estimated 3,000 teenagers start smoking everyday.

    Locally, the Texas Lung Association offers brochures and other information about how to deal with breaking the smoking habit.