Patroling the Diag and looking to stomp out fellow flames, Stephanie Klempner stood dressed as "Ms. Butts" - a giant cigarette butt - to spread the message of the Great American Smokeout Day.
"This is a big deal for us," said Klempner, an LSA junior and University Students Against Cancer member. "Ms. Butts has become a tradition - it's an attention getter."
And it worked.
"I'm surprised somebody hasn't punched that thing yet," said psychology Prof. Christopher Peterson.
Members of USAC stood outside in the cold yesterday determined to help smokers kick the habit.
As part of the 20th annual nationwide effort by the American Cancer Society to educate people about the harmful effects of smoking, and provide support for those who are quitting, USAC organized Great American Smokeout Day events on campus.
"By the afternoon, over 100 people signed sheets saying that they were willing to quit (smoking) for the day," said Brian Drozdowski, USAC president.
Several USAC members, an official from ACS and a live cigarette butt character spent yesterday talking with people on the Diag and passing out information and candy.
"We like to ask people to take time and think about why they smoke," said Lailea Noel, ACS Washtenaw area executive director.
"Time is being spent on college campuses today getting people to stop (smoking), and we're asking middle school students not to start," she said.
Peterson said many smokers must make seven or eight attempts to quit before they are successful, and he questioned the smokeout day's value.
"I wonder if the usefulness of the smokeout day has passed," Peterson said. "Most people (quit smoking) on their own - they don't rely on the patch or hypnosis.
"It's not just a bad habit, I think it's become a moral issue," he said.
Just minutes from the events on the Diag, crowds of smokers could be found nestled next to buildings - in which smoking is prohibited.
Spanish lecturer Kristina Primorac said she had no idea yesterday was Great American Smokeout Day, but likened smokers to handicapped people.
"As addicted people, we have a handicap," Primorac said.
"Other handicapped people are provided with support, so I think there should be smoking areas in buildings," Primorac continued.
LSA junior Shawn Ohl, who was smoking outside the Modern Languages Building between classes, agreed with Primorac.
"Making people go out and smoke in the cold - that's cruel," Ohl said.
While it is difficult for a person to cease smoking in a single day, USAC hopes that yesterday was a beginning for those who want to make the commitment.
"If (a person) can say, 'Great, I made it through the day without a cigarette,' that's a start," Drozdowski said. "A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step, right?"
USAC is committed throughout the year to events aimed at helping students curb different types of cancer-causing habits.
The next USAC meeting is open to the University community and will be held at 8 p.m. Monday in the Wolverine Room of the Michigan Union.
"New members are always welcome," Drozdowski said.
"Next term, one of our projects will be to pass out free sunblock to help reduce (people's) exposure to the sun. Even if it's for one day, it's a start," he said.