N.C. Black colleges get $1 million for smoking cessation, research

Black Issues in Higher Education, March 11, 2004

GREENSBORO, N.C.

Three historically Black colleges will use a $1 million grant for smoking cessation programs on their campuses and to research cigarette marketing in low-income areas.

Bennett College, N.C., A&T State University and N.C. Central University received the money from the American Legacy Foundation, which was formed as part of the 1998 settlement between state attorney generals and major U.S. tobacco companies.

The foundation has given money to graduate-level research programs at other U.S. universities, but this is the first grant for anti-smoking programs on college campuses.

"It's time for African Americans to take a serious look at the toll tobacco is taking on our families, our loved ones and on our communities," said state Rep. Alma Adams, D-Greensboro, in a ceremony at Bennett College. "'We cannot continue to ignore or push this issue of tobacco consumption off the agenda."

Blacks are somewhat less likely to smoke than Whites, but suffer higher rates of smoking-related diseases.

Bennett will train students to help their fellow students quit smoking; A&T students will create radio ads about the health risks of tobacco products in low-income neighborhoods; N.C. Central will compile tobacco prevention and cessation materials, and distribute them to other historically Black colleges.

--Associated Press