University of Texas at El Paso’s Student Health and Wellness Center kicked off November with an Eliminate Tobacco Use Resource Fair! The event hosted on November 1st was organized by interns in the Public Health Program at UTEP which aligns with the program’s responsibility, competencies, and sub-competencies.
Daniela Lerma of the Student Health and Wellness Center commented, “The fall 2022 Eliminate Tobacco Use Resource Fair is an event dedicated to the UTEP community, with an emphasis on students. The goal of the event is to help educate students on tobacco-related resources including prevention and cessation.” UTEP invited community partners to present on other wellness resources available to students, including the Clinical Laboratory Science Program who administered BMI and glucose testing.
Over 100 students attended and answered a survey about their tobacco use. The results were encouraging - 8% of students had consumed tobacco related products (including e-cigarettes) with 3% of students attributing this use to peer pressure. Also, 52% of students were aware that UTEP is a tobacco and smoke free campus and 92% of respondents felt that the resource fair helped them gather enough information on resources to quit using tobacco. The survey data collected will be used to help event organizers compile conclusions around tobacco use and identify potential areas where they can improve advertising and communications about their tobacco and smoke free campus policies.