Tobacco, Nicotine & Vaping

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Campus Life

Tobacco use has been on the decline for decades. Unfortunately, much of the work to curb traditional cigarette smoking rates is being threatened by the rise in vaping among young adults. While some view vaping as a less harmful form of nicotine use or even as a way to stop smoking, much is still unknown on the long-term adverse effects vaping has on a person’s health. Chemicals contained in the aerosols produced by vaping are known to be carcinogenic. Vaping is NOT risk free and is not an FDA approved form of smoking cessation.

Smoking: What’s the incentive to stop now?

Fact: 92% of people who smoke 100 cigarettes in their lifetime become daily smokers

What this means:

  • 5 packs of cigarettes.
  • If you smoke only at parties and have 3-5 cigarettes/party and continue this practice 3 x per week, you will have had 100 cigarettes in just one term.
  • Nicotine goes to the brain in less than 19 seconds and releases dopamine in the brain, which stimulates the reward system. Thus, nicotine is more addictive than cocaine and heroin.
  • National data show that about 95 percent of adult smokers begin smoking before they turned 21. The ages of 18 to 21 are a critical period when many smokers move from experimental/social smoking to regular, daily use.
  • For those of you who are social smokers and think you can stop anytime or when you finish college: look at your smoking habits.
  • Ask yourself: Am I addicted?
  • In the past year have you ever smoked more than you wanted to? In the past year have you ever felt you wanted to cut down?

If you answered yes, you may be addicted.

Support Resources on Campus

If you want help quitting:

  • Lindley Health: 540-458-8401
  • Lindley Counseling: 540-458-8590
  • Office of Health Promotion: 540-458-4501
  • Employees can contact Human Resources

Other Resources

Campus Life

Jan Kaufman

Director of Health Promotion