2008 Woodie Awards
Smokers On Campus Ignite
Yeshiva on Par with National Average
Eddie Krule
Issue date: 12/27/04 Section: Features
With the influx of more foreign students at Yeshiva this year, the campus has subsequently seen a rise in the number of student smokers, particularly those that congregate outside the Max Stern Athletic Center and entrace to Rubin Hall. But according to university administrators, the increase in smokers is not a product of international enrollment, but of a general, national trend pointing to more college-aged youth picking up smoking.
Dr. Efrem Nulman, Senior University Dean of Students, suggested that smoking percentage at Yeshiva matches the smoking demographic of other New York area colleges such as Columbia and New York University. But, Yeshiva has undoubtedly experienced a rise over the past ten years in the number of students who smoke. Additionally, Dr. Nulman argued, the much-propagated stereotype that it is mainly foreign students who smoke has proven to be incorrect, as the number is evenly divided between Americans and those of foreign origin.
Recent studies have shown that approximately 30 percent of college students have smoked a cigarette in the last thirty days, and latest statistics say that ten percent of college smokers will die of smoking related illnesses at some point in their life.
In fact, smoking amongst college students is consistent with the percentages of smokers within the age group of individuals at the college level. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, approximately 22.5 percent of all adults in America smoke cigarettes, and estimates by age group are highest for the 18-24 year olds, of whom approximately 28.5 percent smoke cigarettes.
And smoking amongst college students is not a temporary habit that can easily be "kicked." According to another recent study, more than 90 percent of college students who smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, and almost 50 percent of those students who smoke occasionally, continue smoking for at least four years after college. Consequently, according to the Office of Health Education, "Researchers say those findings show that college smokers may be a prime target for smoking cessation and tobacco control efforts."
Dr. Efrem Nulman, Senior University Dean of Students, suggested that smoking percentage at Yeshiva matches the smoking demographic of other New York area colleges such as Columbia and New York University. But, Yeshiva has undoubtedly experienced a rise over the past ten years in the number of students who smoke. Additionally, Dr. Nulman argued, the much-propagated stereotype that it is mainly foreign students who smoke has proven to be incorrect, as the number is evenly divided between Americans and those of foreign origin.
Recent studies have shown that approximately 30 percent of college students have smoked a cigarette in the last thirty days, and latest statistics say that ten percent of college smokers will die of smoking related illnesses at some point in their life.
In fact, smoking amongst college students is consistent with the percentages of smokers within the age group of individuals at the college level. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, approximately 22.5 percent of all adults in America smoke cigarettes, and estimates by age group are highest for the 18-24 year olds, of whom approximately 28.5 percent smoke cigarettes.
And smoking amongst college students is not a temporary habit that can easily be "kicked." According to another recent study, more than 90 percent of college students who smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, and almost 50 percent of those students who smoke occasionally, continue smoking for at least four years after college. Consequently, according to the Office of Health Education, "Researchers say those findings show that college smokers may be a prime target for smoking cessation and tobacco control efforts."