Tobacco

The toxic chemicals in tobacco signal the heart to beat faster and harder causing blood vessels to constrict and forcing blood to travel through a narrower space. Tobacco smoke contributes to heart disease, as much as cancer, and leaves the body vulnerable to respiratory diseases like emphysema.

Comparing National Tobacco Use to the Use of Tobacco at Skidmore

According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 23.4% of American met and 20.9% of American women are smokers.  

An online survey, completed by 700 Skidmore students, found that 43.9% of Skidmore students report that they have ever “smoked tobacco products.”  Of these, 81.2% smoke cigarettes.  Although prevalence of cigarette smoking is high, a majority of students are “social smokers” which means that they do not smoke cigarettes on a daily basis.  Of the students who reported that they smoke cigarettes, typical weekly usage was:

43.9% of students smoke tobacco products:

Of the students who reported smoking cigarettes, average use per week ranged from:

• 0 days – 21.8%
• 1 day – 27%
• 2 days – 8.7%
• 3 days – 5.2%
• 4 days – 6.3%
• 5 days – 2.4%
• 6 days – 4.8%
• 7 days – 23.8%

On days when you smoke, how many cigarettes do you  typically have?

• 1-2 cigarettes – 61.1%
• 3-4 cigarettes – 13.9%
• 5-6 cigarettes – 11.1%
• 7-8 cigarettes – 3.2%
• 9-10 cigarettes – 2.4%
• 11-15 cigarettes – 2.4%
• 16-20 cigarettes – 1.6%
• More than 20 cigarettes 0.4%

If you are currently using tobacco products and would like help quitting the staff of the Counseling Center and Student Health Services are here for you.

Counseling Center- call 580-5555, or stop by the office on the first floor of Jonsson Tower

Student Health Services- call 580-5550, email health@skidmore.edu, or stop by the office on the first floor of Jonsson Tower

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