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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 1997)
"W" The Battalion Lifestyles )ctober21 Quati ruesda y * October 21, 1997 Addicted to more than love ’MT/ zrv Despite caffeine’s ability to reduce fatigue, t can have adverse effects on the body, mind 1 By Marium Mohiuddin y. H Staff writer Hrlhere is a Colombian drug lord who has swept the conn try by storm. His powerful drug has caused millions of people to ler.nme addicted. f af F,ll His victims include not only college ^tudents, but children, parents and ■ :vei i professors. ilprug houses have emerged in major I^^Si^hnetropolitan cities — a few exist in College l UtkOD VE itation, with a promise of more to come. WT THEH His empire is not restricted to one type TW\t >fproduct. t ?U)i{]| The name of this infamous drug lord is y IM THeir uail Valdez, of the powerful Colombian Cof- 1'amily, and his drug is caffeine. y §|The first use of caffeine dates back to 2700 r J.C. with the Chinese Emperor and today is \ ^ t basic part of the human diet. - Many college students have added caf- eine to their meal plans, trying to cope with ate nights and early mornings. K^affeine, a mild central nervous system itimulant, is commonly found in coffee, tea, 10ft drinks and chocolate and is also found "'nmany non-prescription drugs. ■ It occurs naturally in leaves, ' leeds and fruits of more than —iO plants. ■This stimulant can in- :rease reaction time, alert- tess, memory and tem- lorarily increase mental unction. It reduces feel- ngs of tiredness and fa- igue, and for some, it can mhance metabolism by helping he body burn fat for energy. affeine is also a diaretic, which causes in increase in urination. his causes the body to release water, vi am ins and minerals. Contrary to popular belief, it does not make up for declining performance due to lack of sleep, and it will not sober an individual who has consumed too much alcohol. In the last decade, exten sive research on caffeine has been done. In relation to cardio vascular diseases, can cer and birth defects, caffeine presents no sig nificant health hazards from natural consumption. However, sensitivity to caffeine may in crease due to pregnancy. Dr. Jane Cohen, the Health Education and Nutrition Specialist at A.P. Beutal Health Center, said students should be aware of how much caffeine they are consuming. “Caffeine is OK in moderate amounts,” Cohen said. “It is better to get your sleep than to rely on caffeine before the test.” Erin Tarter, a nutrition assistant at Beutal and a senior nutrition major, defined normal usage for caffeine. “Three cups of coffee and two soft drinks a day are normal,” Tarter said. “It can be come dangerous and may even be toxic when 700 mg to a 1000 mg of caffeine are Jji^ taken in a day. That would be seven to 10 cups of coffee.” Tarter said the symptoms from overuse of caffeine vary among individuals according to their sensitivity. “Caffeine causes the blood vessels to get bigger,” Tarter said. “Without the caffeine, they con strict which then cause headaches. It can also cause people to be jittery nauseous and lightheaded.” * Please see Caffeine on Page 4. For most students, smoking proves a harder habit to break than suspected Photography by Derek Demere and Dave House By Chris Martin Staff writer S moking on college cam puses is a fact of life. It may not be healthy it may not be attractive, it may not even be cool anymore, but it is here to stay. The legal battles may rage on in the courtroom, but there is a decidedly different story in the classroom. Many students who smoke are finding the habit of smoking far harder to shake than expected. Jordan Scharf, a senior mechanical engineering ma jor, began smoking three years ago, when first privi leged by the freedom of col lege life like many students. “I was living on campus, and I used to sit out on the balcony dorm with a bunch of guys to hang out and listen to music,” Scharf said. “Everyone would go out there to smoke, so I would join them. It’s how I met a lot of people.” Scharf said he currently smokes about a pack a day, usually between classes or when he is sitting around. He has tried to quit smok ing several times, but has never fully kicked the habit. “My roommate smokes, and I would always see him smoking,” Scharf said. “That makes it hard to quit,” Money is a key motivator in persuading students to quit smoking, Scharf said. “At a pack a day, it costs around $14 a week, $700 a year,” Scharf said. “After that there’s not much [money] left. That’s a lot of money for a college student.” The onslaught of health warnings surrounding ciga rettes and tobacco use have not impeded Scharf’s smok ing habit. “Pm more addicted to the habit of putting it [a cigarette] in my mouth. Nicotine has a little to do with it, but it’s mainly the habit.” JORDAN SCHARF SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MAJOR “It’s not exactly healthy stuff, especially when you get sick because it takes a lot longer to feel better, and you also have the coughing,” Scharf said. “You have to take the good with the bad. It’s definitely a choice, and you know the risks before you start.” Scharf said he feels nico tine plays a minor role in his decision to continue smoking. “I’m more addicted to the habit of putting it in my mouth,” Scharf said. “When I’m not smoking, I’ll stick pens in my mouth be cause I’m so used to it. I’m sure nicotine has a little to do with it, but it’s mainly the habit.” Scharf said he enjoys the camaraderie of the smoker community most of all. “I’ve met quite a few peo ple from just hanging out and smoking,” Scharf said. “It gives you something to say to people you would have no other reason to talk to.” “I smoke when I’m stressed,” he said. “Some times it gets me more stressed and jittery if it’s a bad situation. “Other times I smoke when I’m studying. I’ll take a break for five or 10 minutes, and everything seems OK. It’s not so much the smoking - it’s the friends and situations.” Mel Bartlett, a junior agri cultural economics major, be gan smoking three years ago. “I’ll smoke after tests, sometimes before or on my break at work,” Bartlett said. “It’s mainly to relax.” Bartlett acknowledges there are many disadvan tages of smoking. “I usually think about the health risks, but right now I’m young and not going to worry about it for a few years,” Bartlett said. Please see Nicotine on Page4. www.pphouston.or3 YOUR UNCE!YSORED SEXUALLY-ORIENTED INFORMATION SOURCE ✓ Birth control exams and supplies ✓ Screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections ✓ Pregnancy tests ✓ HIV tests ✓ Annual exams and Pap smears D . „ nn I10 409/846-1744 Plan on us. 4001 E 29th # 103 Bryan ✓ Medicaid welcome Planned Parenthood® of Houston and Southeast Texas, Inc. S ALPHA PHI 8 i as is a social sorority Would like to announce our Fall Membership Selections ilnion EdiM' | d Editor rlio Editor | 0 Editor iditor e Manager | CalM'l :s, Jeir'l Dow) I n, Ai)«» ■ : t Kelly. I ro Oakley; EdG f ' 1, David Hoffwa" ibriel Ruenes,!' 1 dent Publications, a« 1313; Fax: MM* 1 ocal, and national as office houtsate! a' Battalion. Mailstte' 845-2611. sid at College Sta»' itation. IX 77843-I1.' Broadway's home run sweeps into Rudder Auditorium on Sunday, October 26 for a musical doubleheader! Catch the spirit of America's favorite pastime by wearing your baseball t-shirt and snacking on ballpark favorites like hot dogs, peanuts and half-priced popcorn. (Ballpark snacks available immediately following the matinee performance and prior to the evening performance) jlsTues., Oct. 21 st : Koldus Rm. 110 • 7:30pm * Informational ^ Wed., Oct. 22 nd : MSC Downstairs • 7:00pm * Bowling, Billiards, and games H Thurs.. Oct 23 rd : Kyle Field Press Box || * *By Invitation Only* * Be a part of a unique and growing tradition at Texas A&M! 3^ For more information please call 846-7188 FREE Student Lun ch , 1 g 8 VI t s tf § #2 po t\* Opera & Performing Arts Society PC-13 Meal Plait ParlicipaDls Aggie Buck Customers M Student Customers Dine Line 845-DINE Web Site: http://lood.tanui.edu with the Food Services Director Bring us your Piping Hot Ideas! Comments and Suggestions Welcome Lund] scheduled throughout FaM Spring semesters Call Debbie Brantley for reservations. Texas A&M University's Department of Food Services - A tradition in excellence since 1876 CALL NOW! 845-3005