UOS runs a program called “Anti-smoking Clinic.” This clinic is supported by the Dongdaemun-gu Health Center and operates on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. Occasionally, however, the business hours change. It is run at the UOS Health Center which is located on the second floor of the Student Hall. It holds consultations and examines nicotine reliance of students who smoke regularly. It also provides nicotine patches and nicotine gum. All of these are given free of charge.

According to Cho Soon-ok (Treatment-counselor of UOS Health Center), “Quitting smoking is very difficult, therefore it is hard to do so at once. The Anti-smoking Clinic does not force students to quit; students usually call on their own will and seek our advice. While it is rare to be successful in treatment on the first or the second attempt, there are some cases which have found success after failing five or six times.

The purpose of implementing an anti-smoking clinic is to encourage smokers in their 20s to believe that they can live healthy lives as non-smokers. The sooner you quit smoking, the better the effects it will have on your health, especially if you are still in your 20s. UOS students who want to quit smoking but have difficulty doing so by themselves should visit the Health Center.”

By. Kim So-jeong