Welcome to the "On the Ground" Smoking Cessation and Prevention Project

The On The Ground Smoking Cessation and Prevention Project is a joint partnership with the Institute and three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in North Carolina: Bennett College for Women, North Carolina A&T State University and North Carolina Central University.

The goals of the "On the Ground Smoking Cessation and Prevention Project" are:
• Reduce smoking among college students,
• Strengthen campus smoking policies,
• Examine culturally appropriate multidisciplinary approaches to smoking prevention and cessation; and,
• Raise public awareness in surrounding communities.

The On The Ground Smoking Cessation and Prevention Project is funded through a grant from the American Legacy Foundation.

This site is designed to serve as a destination and resource for those interested in learning how to reduce the adverse impact of smoking in our communities. Feel free to learn more about our program and tell others about this initiative.

Profiles from On The Ground: Lessons Learned About Tobacco Use Among African American College Students Download the PowerPoint file (.ppt) Download the PDF file (.pdf)

Key Facts About Smoking and the African-American Community:

› Every year, tobacco-related disease kills over 440,000 people in the U.S., making it the single largest preventable cause of death.

› 1995 estimates put the tobacco-related death toll among African Americans at 45,000 per year.

› African American men have the highest death rates for lung cancer. Although death rates from lung cancer are declining (among African American men and men in general) African American men have higher lung cancer death rates than white, Hispanic, Asian American and American Indian men.

› African American women also have high death rates for lung cancer, though they are slightly lower than death rates for white women. African American women have higher lung cancer death rates than Hispanic, Asian American and American Indian women. Lung cancer death rates among African American women (and among women in general) are rising.

› Women who begin smoking at an early age (within 5 years of their first period) are at higher risk of developing breast cancer.

› People who have a strong commitment to change and are involved in programs that make use of behavioral techniques and social support are more likely to succeed in quitting.

› It is never too late to gain benefits from quitting! Quitting at age 45 increases life expectancy by 6 or 7 years. Quitting at age 55 increases life expectancy by 3 to 6 years. Quitting at age 65 increases life expectancy by 1.4 to 4 years.