Wellness Program Works Toward Tobacco-Free Campus
Reader Contribution
Kelly McPhee
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Did you notice the fiery red fliers around campus during the fall semester? You know, the fliers that posed the all-important question for every student: "Have Money to Burn?" Those fliers were part of a marketing initiative for the University of Baltimore S.T.O.P.S. program.
S.T.O.P.S. (Students Together Organizing Prevention Strategies), funded by a grant from Maryland's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Center for Health Promotion, is run out of UB's Campus Recreation Services.
According to the program's mission statement, "Maryland's college and university tobacco control coalitions have united to create healthier, tobacco-free campuses across the state by building relationships with other campuses, offering prevention and education initiatives, establishing and supporting policies, and sustaining diverse involvement."
UB's S.T.O.P.S. program began last June when Jennifer Morrison, negotiations and conflict management student and UB Wellness Center coordinator, became the S.T.O.P.S. grant coordinator. Kelly McPhee, community studies and civic engagement student, was hired in August as the S.T.O.P.S. grant manager.
Morrison and McPhee work to market S.T.O.P.S. on campus, collaborate with community and campus groups, create thought-provoking and creative programming, promote 1.800.QUIT.NOW, which offers free support for students trying to crush the habit, and initiate a S.T.O.P.S. student coalition on campus.
"The S.T.O.P.S. coalition is important, in part, because it brings awareness to students about their campus while promoting a healthy life style. The coalition provides passionate students the platform to reach the UB community and the funding to aid their awareness efforts while working with the Maryland Department of Health," Morrison said.
"The S.T.O.P.S. coalition is the perfect opportunity for students to make a difference. The coalition is unique because it is grant funded and a great resume builder. There is no experience required, just a positive and creative approach to bring smoking awareness to the UB campus."
As restaurants and bars are becoming smoke-free in Maryland on Feb. 1 and social norms are bending to embrace a smoke-free lifestyle, Morrison and McPhee surveyed a diverse sample of UB students, faculty and staff about the UB campus smoking policy. 152 surveys were completed in November.
In response to the question, "Is smoking permitted near the entrance of campus buildings?" 67 percent answered "yes." The actual answer: no, smoking is not permitted within 15 feet of campus building entrances.
Some of those surveyed chose to include comments. One student wrote, "It's not permitted, but people do it anyway and I hate it."
Another question, "Does smoking near the entrance of campus buildings have a negative impact on you?" received a "yes" response from 53 percent of respondents.
On Feb. 1, the American Cancer Society is having a "Smoke-free Dine Out for Relay For Life." Patronize local restaurants and bars as a way to show your support to the businesses that will be smoke-free for the first time. A percentage of sales will be donated to Relay For Life.
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S.T.O.P.S. has already made its presence known on campus:
In September, 64 freshmen participated in an interactive game, "Have Money to Burn?" showing how the money spent on cigarettes could have been used to purchase various items from the every day to the extraordinary.
In October, S.T.O.P.S. held an outreach table with a Halloween theme: "You are the Walking Dead."
In November, 21 freshmen participated in "Aimed at you!" an interactive activity regarding the facts about the cigarette companies targeting students with advertisements. The students made collages that will be sent to cigarette companies, via photographs. The collages were also placed around campus through Dec. 8 and will be used in spring marketing.
Also in November, S.T.O.P.S. gave away 200 "cold turkey subs" for the Great American Smoke Out. Over 230 UB students, faculty and staff received subs in exchange for filling out surveys and surrendering cigarettes. 152 surveys were completed regarding the current UB smoking policy and 17 cigarettes were collected. 21 students signed up for information about the UB S.T.O.P.S. Student Coalition.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 13:
Happy Heart Facts and Freebies
March 27:
Midterm Madness with stress-reducing giveaways
April 17:
USS Block Party with facts and freebies
April 25:
Team S.T.O.P.S. for Community Service Day
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