FRIDAY,AUGUST 30,2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5
5A
Professor to study smokers' addiction
By Lindsay Hanson Kansan staff writer
One University of Kansas Medical Center professor wants to find out if African Americans who smoke lightly can quit more easily.
The National Institutes of Health awarded Jasit Ahluwalia, chairman and professor of preventative medicine and public health, and his team $2 million this year to study exactly what it takes for African Americans who smoke less than 10 cigarettes per day to quit.
"The question is: Are they actually addicted to cigarettes?" Ahluwalia said. "Do they need drugs to help them in the process
of quitting?"
Ahluwalia said some research had been done on focus groups, but no one had ever tried direct intervention.
"The assumption is that because they smoke such a little amount, it shouldn't take much for them to quit," Ahluwalia said.
Even those who smoke as few as three cigarettes per day admit problems with quitting smoking, Ahluwalia said.
They do it to control nerves and curtail withdrawal symptoms
— some of the same reasons pack-a-day smokers list for sticking with the habit.
Ahluwalia's study focuses on African Americans because research studies do not usually
target the group. Researchers usually place classified ads asking for volunteers, and 93 percent of the respondents are white.
Antiwalia and his team are starting this research as a part of a campaign for smoking cessation. With other risk behaviors, such as alcohol, doctors have found that moderation does not endanger a person.
But cigarettes have different implications, said Kola Okuyemi, associate professor in family practice and co-principal investigator for the project.
"People who smoke five cigarettes a day raise their risk of lung cancer three times," Okuyemi said. "Nobody has come up with a safe amount of cigarettes."
Okuyemi said the team would administer a randomized clinical trial on four groups of 200 volunteers, studying their responses to different levels of counseling and medication.
Some groups will chew nicotine gum and others will receive a placebo gum. Of those groups, some will undergo professional counseling and the rest will receive general advice about quitting.
Ahluwalia said his team would publish its findings after it finished researching in the next two years.
Contact Hanson at
ihanson@kansan.com. This story was edited by Amy Schmitz.
HOROSCOPES
Aries (March 21-April 19). Today is a 7.
You can make progress if you practice. You'll eventually get better at a difficult chore. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Then out there.
your destination. There's a lot of confusion out there.
Taurus (April 20-May 20). Today is a 6
whether you do.
have you been asked to do more?
That's because you're so responsible. Don't let them forget to pay you what you're worth.
Cancer (June 22-July 22). Today is a 6.
Your workplace could be a real mess. You'll have to think quickly and be creative to meet requirements that keep changing. Never a dull moment!
what you're worth. Pitch a fit if necessary.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22). Today is a 7
You have the power to call a halt to something you don't like. Don't be bullied if you have the law on your side. Find out
Gemini (May 21-June 21). Today is a 6.
Brace yourself for another startling revelation. Better keep a lot of cash on hand in case you need to make a quick getaway. Don't spend
sary services.
getaway. Don't spend it on junk. Instead,
support a friend's good idea.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Today is a 6.
Changes currently under way could be to your benefit. Don't profit from another's loss. Profit by providing neces-
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct 22). Today is on 8.
take charge of getting the messages through. You're good at doing that, and you'll be even better at it now. Besides, the others could do it to
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21). Today is a 6.
Don't be late with your bills this month. The cost is too high. Friends won't help, but the lender might if you call early.
others who could do it are too busy.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Today is a 6
Don't start arguing with your mate. You need to work together. Precision is required when you're instigating a transformation.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Today is a 7.
it may seem as if your world's falling apart, but it could be a change for the better. Tell the truth, even if the consequences seem dire.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Today is an 8.
You're sharp and creative, but you you're slowed somewhat by events beyond your control. A friend's inspiration spurs your own resolutions.
spures your own resolve to help others out of a jam.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20). Today is a 5.
You may think you're a bystander in life's drama, but that's not true. You're willing to listen and to provide the faith that helps others through the
others through these tough times.
English degree useful for many different careers
By George Schulz
Kansan staff writer
English undergraduates are often chastised and ridiculed for never quite knowing what they want to do with their degree once they leave school. But many English majors say a degree in English will give them just the boost they'll need for a successful career.
"English is probably one of the most versatile but no one really thinks about it," said Natalie Keiper, Lake Tahoe, Nev. sophomore. "You can pretty much do anything with it."
Keiper said she was interested in writing fiction -she has already begun writing her first book-and she considered going into journalism.
"When people ask me what my major is, and I tell them English, they're always like 'Well, what are you going to do with that?'"
Keiper said. "People don't think much of it."
Lauren Praither, Lee's Summit, Mo., freshman, also an English major, agreed that many students didn't see the usefulness of an English degree.
"Some people say, Why would you major in English? You already know how to speak it. I don't think people really understand what an English major is," Praither said. "It's more than just doing grammar."
Praither said she would likely use an English degree as a foun-
"I don't think people really understand what an English major is...that it's more than just doing grammar."
Lauren Praither
Lee Summit Freshman
Both Praither and Keiperagreed English degrees were more helpful than many students understood. They said strong English skills were vital for any career choice where writing and communicating regularly was a job necessity.
Ben Hirsch, undergraduate studies coordinator for the English department, said an English degree could be applied to everything from copyrighting, editing and manuscript reading to corporate communications, public relations and law.
"English majors have generally done well on the job market," Hirsch said.
Michael Johnson, assistant director of freshman-sophomore English said English majors couldn't necessarily write computer programs, but they did like the "emotional nitty-gritty" of life that contributed to their ability to problem-solve.
Contact Schulz at editor @kansan.com. This story was edited by Chris Wintering.
The Associated Press
Exec says he didn't know about diluted drugs
The lawsuit claims that drug makers Bristol-Myers Squibb and Lilly knew or should have known that Courtney was watering down cancer drugs as early as 1998, but failed to stop him.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The head of security at Eli Lilly & Co. has testified that he would have alerted federal authorities if he had known about questions surrounding pharmacist Robert R. Courtney, according to a court filing by a cancer patient who is suing the drug maker.
Courtney pleaded guilty in February to tampering with chemotherapy drugs made by both companies. He has not been sentenced.
Discrepancies between the amount of drugs Courtney bought and the amount he dispensed are a key issue in the hundreds of civil lawsuits filed by cancer patients and their families. The plaintiffs claim the drug companies knew of these discrepancies, and thus knew Courtney was diluting drugs. The drug companies have said such discrepancies are routine.
Thursday's motion was a response to motions by Lilly and Squibb earlier this month to have the lawsuits thrown out.
Lilly security chief Dillard Howell testified that if he heard of such discrepancies, he would tell the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigation. But according to a motion filed by the plaintiffs Thursday, Howell was never told.
The plaintiffs also claimed that once Courtney was arrested, attorneys, for Squibb told the company's security department not to give the FBI a timeline.
Frisbee fun
Brandon Rice, Olathe senior, extends his body to the fullest as he reels one in during an Ultimate Frisbee Club practice.
Jared Soares/Kansan
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