Smoking habit a tough one for some students to kick

by Joe Pecoraro, posted March 16, 2010

While many people who are addicted to cigarettes understand the health risks, as well as have to battle an unpopular view of their habit, they still find it exceptionally tricky to stop smoking.

For decades, lighting up was an adequate way of life and was even glamorized in movies and on television. This made it more of a socially acceptable way of life than a life-threatening habit. With more states banning it from public buildings, people are looking for better ways to kick the habit that will be successful for them. What some are coming to realize is that quitting involves much more than the nicotine addiction.

Although many find nicotine a definite factor in the difficulty of quitting, students and adults alike are finding that there are other variables that come into play.

Cosha Baker, who is a smoking counselor at the wellness center, tries to help MU students continue down the path of a smoke-free lifestyle. Baker admits that although nicotine is a part of the addiction, there are other factors.

“Usually, individuals that have a physical addiction to nicotine also have behavioral habits to break,” Baker said. “Smoking may be something they do several times a day; it is a habit that usually needs to be replaced by another action.”

Baker explained that there are simple techniques that can help make up for some of the tendencies one might have.

“These students are very used to using their hands frequently; their hands are busy,” Baker said. “They are used to doing something with their mouth as well. Sometimes it helps to have hard candy or toothpicks on hand.”

Although many students find Baker’s advice helpful, others are dealing with more than physical tendencies when they try to quit cigarettes. Freshman MU student Alex Rheaut traces his smoking habit back to high school; where it started as a social activity for him.

“I mainly started back in high school when I went with all my friends outside while they smoked,” Rheaut said. “Eventually, I just smoked with them.”

Rheaut said he really didn’t see a need to quit.

“My family doesn’t know I smoke, so I don’t smoke when I go home or am with my family,” Rheaut said. “At first, I’m like ‘oh man I want one.’ But if it is not a possibility, I just don’t have one, not a big deal. If I did quit, it would be cold turkey. Why go from one addiction to another?”

An additional reason smokers continue to puff is the relief it provides in stressful situations. Freshman MU student Eric Staszczak found relief in smoking during some tough situations, like when his grandmother passed away.

“My parents had suspected I smoked, but they didn’t really know for sure. I finally just came out and asked my mom for [a cigarette] when my grandma died,” Staszczak said. “It just helps relax me a bit and have five minutes to myself just to calm down.”

Even though smoking is a difficult tendency to change, there are many who have been able to quit. MU freshman Rob Castanzo has now been smoke-free for five months, which he attributes to the right mindset and plan.

“I basically just told myself that it was not going to happen anymore; I was just done,” Castanzo said. “ I slowly weaned myself off of them; at my worst, I smoked a pack a day. Now I am off of them for good.”

To help students kick the habit, the wellness center offers counseling and coupons for free nicotine patches.

Baker said that the path to being smoke-free can be easy, but it might require some outside help.

“They should find out what different avenues to quitting are available,” Baker said. “Also, think about who in their life will be able to support them during this process.”

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