PAM BAL
LIFE REPORTER

A large number of Humber students have signed up for a six-week challenge put forth by a campus-based tobacco control group.
“I think we have close to 100 contestants,” said Poonam Sharma, North Campus team leader of Leave the Pack Behind and third-year nursing student.
Smokers chose between three categories: quit for good, keep the count, which allows students to smoke less, and party without the smoke, which cuts the association between drinking and smoking.
Contestants needed a buddy to sign up to provide support throughout the six weeks.
Stephanie Mulhern, third-year nursing student, signed up to quit for good and said the buddy system has been helpful.
“If it was just up to me, I could have a cigarette whenever I want, but there’s somebody that’s gonna report back. Having a buddy, it motivates you to do better,” said Mulhern.
While the challenge provided the push that Mulhern needed, Mathew Vettese, a first-year radio broadcasting student and smoker, said contests may not be the best way to quit.
“With a contest, you never know how successful it’s going to be because I can quit for two months, win the contest and right after I could start smoking again.”
For anyone tempted to cheat during the challenge, LTPB randomly tests for carbon monoxide.
“We can tell from the levels when they joined, have they decreased, are they increasing, is it the same,” said Sharma.
Contestants receive email support, have access to the health centre and can speak to nurses who are trained in smoking cessation.
The contest ends March 3 and successful participants will be entered in a draw to win prizes ranging from gift cards to a laptop.
“You don’t have to win a prize. The fact that you’re taking that step forward and actually thinking about it and trying to quit, it’s a big step in itself,” said Sharma.