Students at Bakersfield College gathered around an information table Nov. 16-18 to support the Great American Smokeout. The club Mentoring and Peer Services, also known as MAPS, had all of the information that BC students needed to help themselves or a loved one finally quit smoking.
MAPS handed out brochures and plastic bags full of gum, lollipops, rubber bands, toothpicks and straws that are considered tools that could help those students who wished to stop smoking by hopefully easing the urges to smoke.
The tools were purchased through donated gift cards from an organization named the Bakersfield College Organized and United for Good Health.
Students were also able to obtain information on Hookah smoking, as well as chewing tobacco.
“One hour of smoking hookah is equivalent to two packs of cigarettes,” said Theresa Hall, a peer mentor member from MAPS.
MAPS’ main purpose was to promote information on how to quit smoking, give facts about smoking and let BC students know that there is help if they would like to quit smoking.
Rodger Sanchez, a peer mentor member from MAPS, said, “I want to promote good health and promote good health for others because second-hand smoking is a major issue and a big concern. Some students say they want to quit. We give an option for those who want to quit.” Sanchez added, “We’re here for BC students and faculty, or anyone we can give information to, that needs help quitting.”
MAPS was able to help about a dozen student smokers and non-smokers by giving them the information they needed to quit.
MAPS is part of the BC student Health and Wellness center and promotes the Great American Smokeout once a year and promotes different events every month.
On Dec. 1, MAPS will be promoting AIDS and HIV day and will have Clinica Sierra Vista volunteers at BC to confidentially check any student in the Health and Wellness Center.