Cigarette smoking among college students

[1] Cigarette smoking in college is seen as a social activity by those who partake in it, and more than half of the students that are users do not consider themselves smokers.

[3] The prevalence of cigarette smoking by college students increased through the 1990s, but has since leveled off and seen decreases in recent years.

The Harvard School of Public Health concluded the percentage of college students who used tobacco products at least once a month was about 33 percent.

The pressure to be thin along with a need for social approval drives many young college women to smoke.

[14] The media and tobacco advertising play an increasing role in perpetuating the thin body ideal.

[18] In a study conducted in 2004, 51% of current college smokers stated that they primarily smoked with other people and in social activities.

Lastly, social smokers don’t perceive themselves at risk to tobacco related illnesses, nor believe they will ever become nicotine dependent.

These perceived gender differences are inextricably linked with social environments where smoking and alcohol consumption occur.

In an insider document from Philip Morris written in 1981, the company states: It is important to know as much as possible about teenage smoking patterns and attitudes.

Today's teenager is tomorrow's potential regular customer, and the overwhelming majority of smokers first begin to smoke while still in their teens...

[22] Young people, including college students, constitute the majority of replacement smokers, and tobacco companies have created marketing campaigns targeting this age group.

Companies put their logo on everyday items like towels, clothing, and accessories, and this memorabilia is then given for free during events.

They handed out free samples, sponsored parties at bars and fraternities on campuses, and hosted many events in popular spring break towns.

The first recorded legislation prohibiting tobacco use was in the Spanish colonies in 1575, passed by the Roman Catholic Church.

[citation needed] In the United States, the first smoking bans were made around the early twentieth century and have been increasing ever since.

In 1973, Arizona became the first state in the current era to pass a comprehensive law restricting smoking in public places.