For some, the morning escape comes with a hot cup of coffee and the first cigarette of the day. But this routine fix may have more serious health risks than anticipated.

According to the American Cancer Association, smoking is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and continues to kill 500,000 smokers each year. Statistics from the University’s Wellness Connection state in 2008, 44 percent of University students reported they were smokers, 11 percent more than the national average.

Growing populations of people between the ages of 18-24 comprise the occasional-smoker group known as “social smokers.” Social smokers are usually seen as less nicotine dependent and tend to engage in smoking at bars or in social settings.

A 2009 survey conducted by The Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics states nearly 50 percent of college students considers themselves “social smokers.”

Carrie Arndt, an alcohol and substance abuse counselor at the University, specializes in cigarette addiction. She said many students find themselves engaging in social smoking, but end up feeding their part-time habit more regularly as they grow older.

“Many students say ‘I am only going to smoke until I graduate and then I will quit,'” Arndt said. “I look back at them and say ‘You are totally underestimating the addictive properties of tobacco.'”

Arndt said to help students control their addiction she uses a cost of smoking calculator, which shows them both the physical and financial benefits of quitting. She said she usually helps about five students quit smoking each month.

“I try to get people to admit how much they actually smoke and make them understand they have an addiction,” she said.

Students wanting to quit the habit can visit the Student Health Services pharmacy for “stop-smoking” products. Lon Moir, a pharmacist at the University’s pharmacy, said they carry several products that can help curb smoking addiction.

“We have products ranging from nicotine patches, nicotine inhalers, gum and prescription drugs for smoking addictions,” Moir said. “The products are over the counter and are not covered under the University health’s insurance plan.”

Along with the financial and physical consequences, smoking has another negative effect. Senior Jason Carnahan said he often has to deal with the negative stigma some attach to smoking.

“The University seems to be hell-bent on alienating some of the students on moral decisions rather than health decisions,” he said. “They’ll say, ‘you shouldn’t smoke because it’s bad’ instead of saying ‘you shouldn’t smoke because it’s bad for your health.'”

On Thursday, February 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Union Multipurpose room, students will be able to ease their addictions at the Healthy Heart Fair.

“The fair is just a way for students to become more educated about healthier lifestyles and the decisions they make,” Arndt said.

Hosted by the Wellness Connection, this event will have tables about diet and exercise, alcohol and drug dependency and smoking. Admission is free and all are welcome to kick their addiction and start the fight for a healthy heart, one step at a time.

TOBACCO TIMELINE

Even though the effects of smoking are more well-known than in the past, the number of smokers is on the rise.

1789: The first tobacco advertisement in the United States comes in when the Lorillard Tobacco Company promotes their product in a local New York newspaper.

1832: Egyptian artillerymen start rolling gunpowder in paper tubes and try rolling tobacco in paper.

1880: Innovations in technology helps launch the first cigarette-making machine, which dramatically increases production from 40,000 hand rolled cigarettes a day to 4 million cigarettes a day.

1901: Strong anti-cigarette activity now exists in 43 of the 45 states.

1927: The Journal of the American Medical Association publishes its first cigarette ad.

1940: Average adult Americans smoke 2,558 cigarettes per year.

1971: Television cigarette advertising is banned.

1990: The U.S. realizes a $4.2 billion trade surplus from tobacco products and starts taking notice to the 2.5 million deaths worldwide due to smoking.

1995: Marlboro man David McLean dies of lung cancer at 73.

2005: Tobacco deaths worldwide reach 40 million for the decade. Source: cnn.com History of Smoking