The Great American Smoke Out set for Nov. 19
By Christian Matthews
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: News
Langston University will take part in The Great American Smoke Out set for Nov. 19, 2009.
The purpose of the Great American Smoke Out is to get people that smoke or use tobacco products to set aside a day to go without smoking in the hope that they will quit completely. The American Cancer Society coordinates this event every year on the third Thursday in November. According to William Price Curtis, the director of the Professional Counseling Center, this event has taken place on campus for at least 13 years.
Price Curtis feels that a lot of positive things can come from the Great American Smoke Out.
"It puts the possibility in individuals who are still smoking that giving up nicotine is accomplishable," Price Curtis said.
According the American Heart Association, in the United States an estimated 26.2 million men and 20.9 million women are smokers. These people are at higher risks for heart attack and stroke. Smoking also increases blood pressure, decreases exercise tolerance, increases the tendency for blood to clot and increases the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease after bypass surgery.
According to Price Curtis, anyone who smokes will be offered an opportunity to be paired with a non-smoker for the day. To also help addicts, the school will distribute support bags to the individuals who smoke. The bags will contain things such as gum, candy, cough drops, and possibly Nicorette chewing gum. At 4:30 p.m. during the event there will be a drawing of two names for anyone who participates in this event whether they are a smoker or non-smoker, and the winner will receive a turkey.
Price Curtis hopes that everyone on campus will participate in the event.
He said anyone interested in participating can call him at 405-466-3400, so they can be provided them with a support bag, a non-smoking partner, or whatever else they may need.
The purpose of the Great American Smoke Out is to get people that smoke or use tobacco products to set aside a day to go without smoking in the hope that they will quit completely. The American Cancer Society coordinates this event every year on the third Thursday in November. According to William Price Curtis, the director of the Professional Counseling Center, this event has taken place on campus for at least 13 years.
Price Curtis feels that a lot of positive things can come from the Great American Smoke Out.
"It puts the possibility in individuals who are still smoking that giving up nicotine is accomplishable," Price Curtis said.
According the American Heart Association, in the United States an estimated 26.2 million men and 20.9 million women are smokers. These people are at higher risks for heart attack and stroke. Smoking also increases blood pressure, decreases exercise tolerance, increases the tendency for blood to clot and increases the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease after bypass surgery.
According to Price Curtis, anyone who smokes will be offered an opportunity to be paired with a non-smoker for the day. To also help addicts, the school will distribute support bags to the individuals who smoke. The bags will contain things such as gum, candy, cough drops, and possibly Nicorette chewing gum. At 4:30 p.m. during the event there will be a drawing of two names for anyone who participates in this event whether they are a smoker or non-smoker, and the winner will receive a turkey.
Price Curtis hopes that everyone on campus will participate in the event.
He said anyone interested in participating can call him at 405-466-3400, so they can be provided them with a support bag, a non-smoking partner, or whatever else they may need.
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