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Journalism Award Winner: Fall 2000: Third Place
by Hazel Garcia and Alisa Le
The Crusader
Bonita Vista High
Chula Vista, CA
Once upon a smoke-filled time, Bonita’s campus had its very own smoking section. The theory, in the late 1970s, was to at least keep smokers from polluting the bathrooms. How times have changed.
A recent Crusader survey of 375 randomly selected students reveals that nine percent of the students polled admit to smoking on a regular basis. That’s less than one third of the national rate for teens according to the National Youth Tobacco Survey. That’s also a three percent decrease compared to a Crusader survey last year.
One in four students surveyed confessed to having smoked at least once. This contrasts with the 76 percent of teens nationally who have tried smoking. Most Barons surveyed—84 percent—don’t see smoking as a big problem on campus. Assistant Principal Hector Ornelas agrees. “I’ve only caught two students this year and one of them was only carrying cigarettes but wasn’t actually smoking them,” he said.
For those Barons who do smoke, studies show that the younger they are when they start smoking, the more addicted to nicotine they are likely to become. “I started smoking when I was in seventh grade and I always thought I’d have time to quit,” admits a male senior.
There are many reasons that might explain why Barons seem to be cutting back on nicotine.
One important factor could be the high cost of cigarettes. Averaging $4 a pack, a pack-a-day habit would cost a student $120 a month. Ironically, the fine for minors found smoking in a public place is also $120.
Another factor may be a 1997 federal regulation requiring valid identification to purchase cigarettes for anyone who appears to be under the age of 27.
An additional reason may be the effect of the media. “I think smoking campaigns might actually be working,” Ornelas said. “Students learn the negative effects of cigarettes such as the disease that comes along with it: emphysema, bronchitis, throat and lung cancer.”
A freshman female who smokes even admits concern. “With all the negative media you see, it makes you think twice about smoking and ask yourself if it’s really worth it,” she said.
The freshman males polled had the biggest percentage of respondents—48 percent—who think smoking is “cool”. Only three percent of respondents from the rest of the school agreed. Freshman males also had the highest number of smokers—37 percent.
According to the survey, Bonita’s students are well aware of the harmful effects on smoking. Three out of five students polled mentioned their fear of the many diseases that smoking causes. “Reasons not to smoke: lung cancer, emphysema, and liver problems,” a female junior responded.
School nurse Julie Smith says she’s noticed the decrease in smoking among students.
“Very rarely do I get students who smoke,” she said. “I see more students with alcohol and drug problems.”
Copyright © 2000