The next time you go to a fraternity party, the brother checking IDs at the door might tell you to put out that cigarette before letting you in the house.
That's because Nobacco, a student-led cancer awareness organization, has once again given money to groups on campus -- including Greek houses -- to hold smoke-free events to promote the healthier, tobacco-free lifestyle.
This year, the group awarded 12 grants totaling $9,000 to campus groups for hosting tobacco-free activities.
Another $1,000 will be used to coordinate and publicize the activities, which will all take place this term, according to Gary Maslow '00, who heads Nobacco.
The grants will fund tobacco-free social events, community service projects, and anti-tobacco image campaigns.
The social events form the largest group among the grant recipients, because according to Maslow, "people at Dartmouth smoke " that's the social situation."
But through these Nobacco-funded tobacco-free social events, nearly every weekend there will be the option of going to a party or dance without smoking, Maslow said.
Chi Heorot fraternity will hold a Casino Night, Alpha Delta fraternity will throw a smoke-free party and the Interfraternity Council and Coed Fraternity Sorority Council will coordinate an entire smoke-free weekend in May.
Other events include a Dance Extravaganza organized by the Steppin' Out dance group on April 22, a Dance Marathon benefiting a children's hospital on May 6, a SHEBA Dance Group performance and party and an Asgard Board Game Extravaganza. Paul Biggs '01, Jonathan Potter '01 and Michael Foote '01 will host one of the more creative tobacco-free events, by organizing a milkshake making activity.
Nobacco is also funding two community service activities. The Fusion Dance Ensemble will perform anti-smoking skits to children, while DREAM mentors will make physical improvements at the Templeton Court Housing Development and be trained to help with substance abuse issues in children.
Through another two of its grants, Nobacco will help to challenge the image of tobacco at Dartmouth. Sisters Margot Knight '99 and Kathryn Knight '01 will make posters challenging the image of tobacco, while the Jack-O-Lantern will conduct an anti-tobacco advertising campaign also using posters as a medium for publicity.
The grant recipients were selected by the Nobacco Steering Committee from 17 applicants during the first week of the term, and were awarded at a special ceremony earlier this month.
Nobacco grants are funded through the Anne Almy Fund of the Hitchcock Foundation, created by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Drs. Katherine Swift and Thomas.
This is the second year Nobacco has awarded these grants to help curtail the rise in tobacco use at Dartmouth through sending a positive message of the benefits of not smoking.
