The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, April 25, 1990 - Page 5 University smokers should understand the risks of their habit By Michael Salinsky The focus on illegal drugs lately Oas resulted, I think, in the serious neglect of cigarette smoking. Al- though the smoking of tobacco is legal, it is a powerful stimulant and extremely addictive. It is also, ac- cording to former surgeon general C. Everett Koop, the "most pre- ventable cause of premature death in the U.S." Researchers in the University's iivision of Behavioral Medicine, where I work, have extensively Salinsky is a Research Assistant at the University of Michigan Hospi- tals. studied the biochemistry of nicotine in the body, and have contributed to the growing consensus that it is one of the most addictive sub- stances known to man. The facts are startling, but their impact doesn't come close to that of talk- ing with smokers. Part of my work involved screening smokers for a clinical smoking cessation trial. I spoke to hundreds of smokers. Some had lost parents to smoking-related ill- nesses. Some had begun suffering the effects of their own smoking. Some had actually had lung cancer. All wanted desperately to quit but couldn't. And most wanted to talk about it, as if by discussing their addiction, they would better come to terms with it. The screening is over, and I have come to realize that the saddest thing about addiction is that no matter how successful in other pursuits, those people have lost control of their lives. I think that is the thing most students who smoke don't under- stand. They are young and enjoying social smoking or using it to re- lieve stress, but probably believe they will be able to quit at will. It's not that easy - but it certainly will be easier now than it would be later. Despite continuing declines, one million young people are initiated into regular smoking habits each year. The rate of decline in smoking initiation in college men appears to have levelled off. And whether life expectancy due to numerous health risks. Chronic Radiation Ex- posure for 20 years causes a loss of 30 days. Smoking one pack of ci- garettes per day causes a loss 80 (Quitting smoking) is not that easy - but it certainly will be easier now than it would be later. Environmental Tobacco Smoke, or second-hand smoke). The campus as a shining beacon and example to the rest of society is a tried-and-true concept. That stu- dents continue to smoke, then, is disturbing. It is especially so to me when I come home from working on smoking cessation and meet a first-year student who smokes or see students on the UGLi stairwell taking a break from studying to light up. For their own health, and to be an example to others toward the goal of a smoke-free campus and world, I urge smokers to try to quit now -- or at least when classes end and the stress of finals are past. those observances of increased prevalence of smoking on campus come to bear statistical fruit re- mains to be seen. The Radiation Safety Manual is- sued by the Radiation Control Ser- vice of the University quotes insur- ance industry estimates on loss of times worse, 6.5 years. Lung cancer, emphysema, and strokes are all often directly attributable to smoking. The smoking hurts the smoker severely, but it also puts a burden on our increasingly overbur- dened health care system (as well as directly endangering others with No peace without Contra disarmament By Pam Galpern Today marks the inauguration of ioleta Chamorro, the Presidential candidate for the UNO coalition. At the same time, the Sandanistas be- gins the process of making the transition toward becoming the op- position movement. In a message issued March 2, the FSLN pledged to be a "constructive opposition," to defend the rights of the Nicaraguan people to peace and sta- ility. Since the elections, there has been much speculation about the "end of the Sandanista Revolution." 1 t the revolution is far from over. ' he change in government," said Ortega, "by no means signifies the end of the revolution." The recent eldction results are not surprising in tight of the fact that Bush promised ;o end the U.S. war against _.icaragua if UNO won. After 10 years of war, 30,000 deaths, and the destruction of the economy, N(araguans were ready for peace. ;That peace is not forthcoming, l)gvever, as the intensity of contras acks continues to escalate. On A-fil 14 contra forces in Jinotega, lpern is an LSA senior. Nicaragua jumped over a wall at a Catholic school and gang raped a nun who taught there. Two weeks later more than 200 contras invaded rural areas near La Trinidad and Esteli. In Leon and Chinandega, black handprints have been painted on the doors of FSLN activists. These handprints were the sign of That peace is not forthcoming, how- ever, as the intensity of contras attacks continues to escalate. the Mano Negro (Black hand) death squads active during the Somoza era. FSLN activists in other towns have received death threats. The list of recent contra attacks and intimi- dation tactics goes on and on. There are currently up to 12,000 armed contras in Nicaragua. Virtu- ally all of the contras previously in Honduras have infiltrated back into Nicaragua. Observers report that they are "well equipped for battle." While the U.S. government and President-elect Chamorro have joined the Sandanistas in calling for the demobilization of the contras, they have not backed their words with actions. As of early April the U.S. con- tinued to hold $3.4 million, left from last year's contra aid package, which is supposedly designated for demobilization purposes. The U.S. : refusing to release the money to the United Nations and the Organi- zation of American States, who have been designated as the respon- sible parties. Of the $300 million recently allocated for Nicaragua, $30 million is slotted for demobi- lization. It will go to contras who have "agreed to demobilize." This vague stipulation means that they must not disarm before receiving the money, which presents frighten- ing possibilities. Perhaps most ter- rifying is that it appears as if the contras are not only launching spo- radic attacks, but are preparing for a campaign of full scale violence. As Father Miguel D'Escoto recently said at a press conference in Mex- ico, Nicaragua is on the brink of civil war. 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