“Excuse me, are you a smoker?”

Student Health Services promoted the American Cancer Society’s 34th Great American Smokeout on Nov. 19.

A booth was set up in Falcon Square to spread awareness of the day, which encourages smokers to quit.

According to the ACS, tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S.

Secretary of Student Health Services Elizabeth Rodriguez felt smoking was “definitely” a problem at Cerritos College.

“Today is a good day to stop,” Rodriguez said while tending the booth. “We are also promoting our health center.”

Rodriguez and her colleagues offered information on the effects of smoking as well as free hand sanitizer bottles, fliers, pens and brochures.

Occasionally, Rodriguez would see someone lighting up and would go over to speak to him about the Smokeout. Then she would take him over to the table and ask him to complete a survey about his smoking.

Those who took the time to fill out the survey were given Quit Kits designed to help them curb their habit. These baggies contained items to aid with cravings, such as coffee stirrers to chew on, rubber bands to play with, tooth picks, gum and candy.

Each bag also included informational resources on quitting like www.californiasmokershelpline.com, www.quitnet.com and www.cancer.org.

Alida Corrales, a certified medical assistant who also manned the booth, said she sometimes attended to students with health complications who smoked.

“There are a couple who have asthma,” she said. “We recommend they stop smoking.”

Chemistry major Rigoberto Arenas was one person Rodriguez was able to bring to her booth after seeing him with a cigarette.

“I think it is good, it informs people,” he said afterward. “I dislike people who smoke and do not know the risks. But I think if you are not being naïve about it, it is okay.”