Earlier in Nov., Trinity University participated in the 1Day Stand Against Tobacco. The national event was sponsored on campus by Trinity University Health and Wellness Services in order to encourage members of the Trinity community to quit using tobacco products.
“In years past it was called the Great American Smokeout. So the name has just kind of changed over time. It just helps students, faculty and staff who are looking to quit smoking or some form of tobacco product for one day in hopes of getting them talking about making it a long-term health decision,” said Katherine Hewitt, wellness coordinator at Trinity University.
The day was used to encourage people to stop using tobacco products and inform them of the health benefits of quitting.
According to the American Cancer Society, “The Great American Smokeout event challenges people to stop using tobacco and helps people know about the many tools they can use to help them quit and stay quit.”
Health and Wellness Services hope that the 1Day Stand Against Tobacco will help anyone looking to quit learn the best way to go about it.
“This just kind of plants the seed and helps people start thinking about if they would want to quit tobacco products long-term. It lets them know that the support and resources are available at Trinity, whether it be having a wellness consultation with me to set up a plan or we have nurses and a medical doctor on campus if people are concerned a little bit more medically about implementing their plan to quit,” Hewitt said.
The campaign includes all types of tobacco products from cigarettes to chewing tobacco to electronic cigarettes. The 1Day Stand also focuses on the damages to the environment that tobacco products cause.
“It’s also an environmental health issue. Whether it be a second hand smoke problem, which is an air control problem or whether it’s a chewing tobacco problem in terms of sanitary issues,” Hewitt said.
The 1Day Stand was a part of the ongoing Tobacco Free Trinity Policy. This policy was created under the Tobacco-Free College Campus Initiative by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
According to the Wellness page of Trinity’s website, “The Health and Safety Committee of Trinity University recommend that Trinity University become a Tobacco-Free Campus beginning Aug. 1, 2017. This proposal is made in support of the University’s Strategic Plan and commitment to pilot new programs and expand existing ones to improve student success, career exploration and holistic wellness.”
Students who did not participate in the 1Day Stand Against Tobacco but want to quit smoking can go to Health and Wellness services in the Halsell Center for help.
