Tonight the focus of Greek Week will turn from fun and games to health and wellness.-á
Victor DeNoble, former researcher for the nation's largest cigarette manufacturer, Philip Morris, will speak about nicotine addiction and what tobacco companies have known about it at 5:30 p.m. today in Student Center Cardinal Hall.
DeNoble was one of two researchers hired by Philip Morris in the 1980s to find a substitute for nicotine. According to an article in the May 9, 1994, issue of Time, DeNoble and Paul Mere conducted experiments on lab rats that revealed the addictive nature of nicotine, the main ingredient in cigarettes. The two concluded that the drug has a similar effect on humans and that continuous use of nicotine is not just out of habit. They accomplished developing a "safer cigarette" but their research, data and rats were destroyed by Philip Morris in April 1984, according to the article.
Both men exposed their findings to the government during court hearings in the case against the tobacco industry. DeNoble's testimony was a key part of that case. Since then, he has given numerous speeches and appeared on shows such as "60 Minutes" and "Dateline."
Kelly Schoonaert, associate director of the Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology, helped bring DeNoble to campus. She said his speech will be interesting and informative for college students.
"He is entertaining and uses an approach to attract young people that is not preachy, nor boring," Schoonaert said. "He knows a great deal of scientifically researched information which average people do not have access to. He can talk about facts instead of myths or assumptions."
Schoonaert said that she believes smokers and nonsmokers will benefit from hearing what DeNoble has to say.
"(Hopefully) the nonsmokers who purposely choose not to smoke will find their voice to say to their peers, 'It's not alright that you harm me,'" Schoonaert said.
"The smokers (may) say, 'I'm willing to learn the truth and then make a decision based on real facts, not myths that keep the tobacco companies rich and make me sick.'"
DeNoble's speech will address the physiology of nicotine addiction, what the tobacco industry knew about it, and what the industry told Congress and the public. Schoonaert argues that his speech fits in with Greek Week because sororities and fraternities have a powerful influence on college campuses.
"The industry wants to attract new markets," Schoonaert said. "Traditionally women smoke less than men, although that is rapidly changing due to the marketing successes. Sororities and fraternities have a way of socially supporting accepted culture."
Ball State offers smoking secession classes at the Health Educator's Office in the Health Center, which is free to students, faculty and staff.
Call the Health Center at 285-3775 for dates and times of these classes.5521-¦+â-¬+â-ñ?N3_smoking speaker_4.01DNEditorial552SORTr+â-ä2AUDT
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