Moments after classes are dismissed, many ISU students go outside and light up cigarettes. This happens year-round, whether it’s 70 degrees outside or it’s below freezing. In a generation bombarded with anti-smoking campaigns, some wonder what drives college students to smoke.

Studies released by the Journal of American College Health in 2005 indicate that smoking among young adults between 18 and 20 years of age increased by 16 percent from 1995 to 1997.

Of the young adults in the age group, approximately 14.8 million are students attending colleges and universities, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

The study suggests the college population may be a contributor to tobacco use among young adults in general.

Across the country, 45 percent of all tobacco users are between the ages of 18 and 25, according to the report.

Frederick Gibbons, professor of psychology, echoed the results of the study by explaining the common factors contributing to smoking.

“Most of the relevant factors are well-known – curiosity, peer influence and modeling from parents and others,” Gibbons said.

He said most people start smoking by 18 years of age and there is more “social” smoking among college students than non-college students.

Several ISU students said their smoking behavior is a social habit.

“In the dorm I lived in – freshman year at Colorado University-Boulder – we all had balconies and it was just a social thing,” said Lara Petersburg, junior in classical studies. “We’d go out to the balcony to smoke and talk and hang out.”

Other students cited their reason for smoking is to get a sense of belonging.

“As cliche as it sounds, basically it was because my friends smoked,” said Abel Bolanos, freshman in English.

Another student said curiosity played a role in her decision to smoke.

“I didn’t start because anyone asked me to,” said Allie Staples, freshman in liberal arts and sciences-open option. “Honestly, I just wanted to know what all the fuss was about.”

In terms of the social smoker, Gibbons said most students bum a cigarette to smoke at a party and will not become addicted. He said this type of smoking student usually stops smoking after graduation. Many students also fully realize how dangerous smoking is, but believe they could quit if they wanted, he said.

Gibbons said media influence may be a contributing factor to addiction.

“Turns out, the more smoking you have seen in the movies, the more likely you are to smoke,” Gibbons said. He is working on a study with colleagues at the Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, N.H., that looks at media influence on smoking.

Others say the movie industry in particular has made a living in promoting tobacco products.

“Movies are famous for creating ways to promote cigarettes,” said Jay Newell, associate professor of journalism and communication.

Newell pointed out that although smoking is a natural event, it is associated with what people really want – such as sex, action or heroism.

Throughout the history of the media, associating cigarette smoking with youth was the aim of many cigarette companies, Newell said.

In the original 1960s network series of “The Flintstones,” Fred and other main characters could be seen smoking Winston cigarettes. The Flintstones’ smoking habits created the concern that tobacco companies were targeting young audiences.

Newell explained advertisers have found the specific benefit for any product – not just cigarettes – by showing direct and indirect benefits such as, “You’ll be cool and accepted if you smoke.”