NIU’s Health Enhancement Services encourages students to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout on Thursday by refraining from smoking for the day.

Steve Lux, health educator for the services, said the Health Enhancement Center is promoting the smokeout in an attempt to support the American Cancer Society in their national effort.

The Student Wellness Resource Center in the Holmes Student Center will have materials available for students, faculty and staff regarding health hazards associated with smoking.

Lux said NIU has participated in the smokeout for the past few years. An “adopt a smoker” project is part of the program. Non-smokers can adopt a smoker for Thursday. The adopter’s duties will involve helping a smoker to quit smoking for the day and encouraging the smoker to stop smoking entirely. People interested in the program can obtain information at the Student Wellness Resource Center.

Lux said that because NIU does not have a high percentage of smokers, the services center also will focus its efforts on providing tips on how not to start smoking and to discourage occasional smokers from becoming addicted.

Although workshops to stop smoking have not been successful, people can get individual help at the Student Wellness Resource Center, Lux said.

The concept of a smokeout was originated by Lynn Smith, a newspaper publisher and ex-smoker from Monticello, Minn. In January 1974, he convinced members of his town not to smoke for one day. Three months after the smokeout, 10 percent of the participants still refrained from smoking.

The American Cancer Society’s California Division began the nationwide smokeout on Nov. 20, 1976. A goal of the ACS is to have a smoke-free society by the year 2000.