Counseling Center offers classes to help students quit smoking

The Student Counseling Center is now offering smoking cessation classes for students.

Classes for faculty and staff will also be offered starting March 1st. The classes are free for students and $25 per person for faculty and staff.

Aimee Janssen-Robinson, Healthy Lifestyles Project Director for the Student Counseling Center, believes the University should indeed be involved with helping the students, faculty, and staff to quit smoking.

"Smoking is bad for you and leads to all kinds of cancers," said Janssen-Robinson. "The healthiest choice is to stop."

The Student Counseling Center is located on the third floor of the Student Health Services Building. Staff is available to answer questions Monday through Friday 8am to 4:30pm. They can be reached at 237-3939.

The classes are a result of the new campus-wide smoking ban, which will be effective July 1.

After that date, tobacco products will no longer be available in Campus Cupboard in the Commons.

Campus Cupboard employee Jimmie Johnson disagrees with the ban.

"I'm a non-smoker, but I believe smokers have the right to smoke," says Johnson. "In my opinion, it may hurt our business."

Bassam Yousif, professor of economics, also feels that the ban is a little over the top.

"Pushing students to the outside margins of campus is ridiculous," said. Yousif. "Where are they supposed to go?"

Although there has been talk of "smoking stations" positioned around campus, the inconvenience factor is still a major concern for smokers.

Junior open preference major Matt Wyrick is behind the trustees tenfold on approving the ban.

"I think it's great," says Wyrick, "It's a great accomplishment for non-smokers."

Bill Mercier, director of public safety, says that even though campus police will not be "hunting" for people breaking the rules, appropriate actions will be taken on students, faculty and staff who refuse to comply with the ban. A verbal warning will first be given to anyone observed smoking.

Students who continue will be referred to campus judicial programs. As for faculty and staff, a matter of employment will be taken up with their supervisor.

Thomas Ramey, vice president of student affairs, said the ban follows a nationwide trend.

"Most universities have already banned smoking on campus," Ramey said.

ISU will encounter problems through modifications to campus policies, but Ramey has incredible faith in the university.

"There are always issues with change," says Ramey. "Peer pressure and the conscientious good will of people will be enough to make it work."