Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Misguided Optimism Among College Student Smokers: Leveraging Their Quit-Smoking Strategies For Smoking Cessation Campaigns, Joyce M. Wolburg

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

College student smokers are a unique group who typically plan to quit smoking by the time they graduate, but few succeed and those who do require multiple attempts. This study examines the strategies of college student participants who successfully quit smoking. They tell a story of trial and error in achieving their goal—one that is more likely to end in another failed attempt than a successful effort unless they learn from past mistakes. Their stories not only show misplaced optimism for quitting but also ineffective smoking-cessation efforts.