Photo by Nick Millan

Smoking cigarettes is obviously unhealthy for the anatomy, but what it is about them that keep college students smoking?

The negative effects of smoking are endless, everyone is aware of T.R.U.T.H., but for some reason the attacks on smoking are not working. The increase in price is obviously not working to stop smoking either, only the major tobacco company’s benefit from that. So why do college students, who are always on a tight budget, still light up?

According to College of the Sequoias Nurse for Public Safety, Patti Alvarez, it doesn’t begin as a college smoker; college just gives you a reason to continue smoking. Alvarez believes the reason people begin smoking is the individual’s desire to either fit-in to a crowd, or with rebel.

“Most people don’t like it when they first try it, but if you let yourself acquire the taste, you can get addicted,” Alvarez said. Alvarez has been the Nurse at COS for two years and is currently halfway to a Master’s degree.

“People don’t understand how tough it is to stop smoking,” said Alvarez. Alvarez is an ex-smoker who feels she will always have the urge to light up a cigarette, but with will power and the help of her husband, who does not condone of it, she wins her daily battles.

Currently there are no groups on campus dedicated to help individuals quit smoking, however the support group on campus is for anyone suffering from any addiction and is ready to get their life on track. Also, Alvarez is available for personal assistance if needed.

“I want the students to avoid the troubles that I went through,” Alvarez said. “If I could help them now, then that’s the key.”

Currently 466 colleges across the US have banned smoking on campus, including COS. This decision has been made through the decades of investigation on the negative effects on human health. Smoking is proven to not only be harmful to the smoker, but to everyone in the vicinity of the smoker.

“I know banning smoking on campus excludes certain people from certain areas,” said Lauren Hail, COS student and smoker. “I also understand that certain people don’t like to be around it and i respect that.”

The future is uncertain for everyone but with common courtesy and respect the atmosphere for smokers and non-smokers can run with ease.