More MSU students are choosing not to light up a cigarette compared to two years ago, according to a recent MSU study.

The National Collegiate Health Assessment Survey was conducted in 2000 and 2002, and sighted a decrease of MSU smokers from 30 percent to about 20 percent.

Among the 1,005 student participants, only 21 percent reported smoking some form of tobacco, but about 57 percent said they believed the average student smoked.

"A lot more students think they smoke than they do," said Jasmine Greenamyer, health educator for Olin Health Center.

Controversy over Michigan tobacco-settlement funds has spawned a review of the need for anti-smoking campaigns and health care funding. Proposal 4 looks to put money back in the hands of those fighting diseases caused by smoking and to prevent others from picking up a cigarette.

Greenamyer said environmental clues are the main triggers for students who smoke. She said bars and friends who smoke are problematic for students looking to quit.

But quitting might not be as hard as it seems, because of three campaign efforts by Olin Health Center to deter students from smoking.

A Web site with steps for quitting, normative smoking advertisements around campus and health information distributed through Olin Health Center are showering MSU with anti-smoking prevention tips. The Web site is www.healthed.msu.edu/smoking.

Although all three programs have been used before, Greenamyer said the study statistics show the campaign against smoking has been effective.

But 22-year-old Michael Harding said quitting smoking is harder than it looks.

"Obviously I think about it, but it doesn't happen," he said.

The East Lansing resident said he has smoked for a few years and has tried to stop several times.

"I did try, I'd go a day or so," Harding said. "I think it will be easier to quit when I am out in the real world because they're not smoker-friendly."

Communication freshman Stacy Kolios said addictions such as smoking are hard to beat.

Kolios said having friends who don't approve of smoking would help a person quit more than a anti-smoking campaign.

"If there's people there to force you, you're more likely to quit," she said.

But Harding said hanging out with friends and going to the bar makes quitting smoking more difficult because it is an accepted part of the social circle.

"A lot of them socially smoke," Harding said. "Even with the higher prices people smoke."