The UofA Bookstores are continuing efforts to protect students' health by selling the "College Health Kit," but some students said the bundle of goods is too expensive or not necessary.

The kit, produced by LifeToolBooks, contains about 40 different items, including antibiotic ointment, cough drops, nasal spray, tweezers, a thermometer, a condom, tea bags, honey sticks and a health guidebook.

Ann L. Wolnick, UofA Bookstores marketing specialist, said the kit has been popular since its debut last year, especially during the new-student orientations that parents attend.

"Parents particularly are the ones who will stop and pick it up because they're just more apt to think about (student medical problems)," Wolnick said. "It's got all that stuff you never have."

Wolnick said that the idea to carry the kit came from the UA's Campus Health Service, which recommended it.

The "College Health Kit" is advertised on the UofA Bookstores' Web site as "more than just a great tool to protect a student's health; it's peace of mind." It is described as "the stuff you need to handle the spills, ills, and chills of student life."

UA students said that although the kit contains a large variety of items, it seems more like something their mothers would buy for them than something they would buy for themselves.

Scott Rierson, a pre-business sophomore, said although he uses many of the items the kit contains on a regular basis, the $50 price tag is a bit hefty.

"I'm sure over a year a lot of that stuff would get used, but I think it's kind of over-priced," Rierson said.

Rierson also said that he didn't think he would ever use some of the kit's contents.

"It has bouillon cubes? I don't know what that's all about," Rierson said.

R.J. Opeka, an undeclared sophomore, agreed that the kit did have a little bit of everything, but he'd prefer to buy the specific items he uses individually.

"It's all useful stuff, but I don't know if I'd buy a pre-made kit like that," Opeka said.

Terri West, an administrative associate for Campus Health, said Campus Health officials felt the kit was "very comprehensive" and "contained an array of items."

However, West also said officials felt the kit was expensive, and might not fit into every student's budget.

Wolnick said the kit's $50 price was a great deal because purchasing all the included items separately would cost more than $100.

The kit is available for sale at the main UofA Bookstore or online at www.uofabookstores.com/uaz/outerweb/lifetool.asp.