The University of Denver’s Department of Wellness will promote quitting smoking for one day on DU Smokeout Day, which is November 6, 2002. This is different from the national day, The Great American Smokeout, which is scheduled to occur on November 21st.
“DU Smokeout Day is DU’s version of the Great American Smokeout,” says Tad Spencer, Outreach Coordinator for the Department of Wellness. Spencer says that the reason this day has been moved up is because the national day is the first day of winter break. Students would not be able to participate, he says.
Students and faculty are encouraged to give up smoking for one 24-hour period on Nov. 6.
“If they are successful in quitting for one day, then they should try for 48-hours and then 72-hours. However, if you aren’t ready to quit, gather information about some of the effects of tobacco and how to quit,” says Spencer.
According to the Department of Wellness, quitting smoking increases life span, saves money, and prevents the effects of second-hand smoking. Even within a 20-minute period, a person’s blood pressure and heart rate decreases, according to a BACCHUS and GAMMA Peer Education Network pamphlet on the effects of tobacco.
“Quit while you are young before it becomes a habit,” says Erin Weliver, Program Coordinator for the Wellness House. A former smoker herself, Weliver says she had a very difficult time quitting after college because smoking had become such a habit.
“I just kept smoking and smoking. When I finally decided to quit, it took me three years to kick the habit, and it was the best thing I had ever done. The satisfaction of quitting is the greatest thing in the world,” says Weliver.
On DU Smokeout Day, The Department Wellness will provide information to students and faculty about the effects of tobacco as well as encourage people to quit for that day.
“We are trying to get the word out about cessation of tobacco while providing a lot of resources for DU and the outside community,” says Spencer.
The Wellness Department also does programming on a wide variety of health and safety issues. The department focuses primarily on substance abuse, body image and eating disorders, and life balance skills.
