Hernandez describes a light smoker as anyone who smokes from one cigarette a month to 10 a day. The Paso Del Norte Health Foundation funded the StopLite program, developed by a UTEP professor to target light smokers. One of the program's first steps is to educate the "social smoker," that anytime you light up there are risks.

"We see a lot of college students who do the light smoking, who will only do it on the weekends when they go out partying or when they are stressed," Hernandez said. "But we see the effects and the risks associated are still very heavy regardless of how much smoking you do."

In fact, research shows smoking just one or two cigarettes a day can increase the risk of a heart attack, but one of the greatest risks facing light smokers is the likelihood they will become a "regular" or "heavy" smoker.

Since the StopLite program started three years ago it has proved successful. During the first year, 14 percent of the college student participants stopped smoking for good. Those who sign up now can also receive up to $30 in gift certificates, which in itself, could prove to be an incentive.

The program is now open to the entire El Paso community, not just college students. To learn more, call 747-5784.