Say goodbye to cigarettes

By Na Hoang

hoan0040@algonquincollege.com

Leave the Pack Behind (LTPB), an initiative created by students for students to educate both smokers and nonsmokers, held their second annual Action week on Nov. 23-29. 

“LTPB basically is a smoking cessation program at the school supporting smokers, non-smokers, and ex-smokers,” said team leader Caroline Sabourin, 19, pre-nursing student.

Smoke Free Ontario Action week is a nation wide attempt to rupture the connection with the tobacco industry and products.

LTPB is based in Brock University and has been implemented in over 43 Ontario colleges and universities. It is a tailored campaign designed to help the student-aged demographic.

However, although the group advocates for cessation and a healthy living through walkabouts and information booths, they are not against smoking.

“The biggest misconception is we are an anti-smoking group,” said Angela MacDonald, health promotion nurse at the college.

According to the LTPB website, the main goal is to disseminate resources to students on campus to stop occasional and regular smokers, “protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke, and to expose tobacco industry tactics that keep people hooked on its deadly products.”

The goal at Algonquin is to create awareness that the group exists and to help students cut back.

“We have resources for everybody: people who don’t want to quit, people who do, for friends and loved ones,” said MacDonald.

Free pamphlets can be downloaded off the website.

MacDonald said the group provides carbon monoxide testing to see what smoking is doing to your health right now, and the group also provides support through personal e-mails and phone calls.

During Action week, the group set up booths in A, B, and C building, provided questions and answers, and handed out prizes and packages.