Donations by tobacco firms spark debate

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, DEC. 7. Even as the Blair Government on Wednesday announced its plan to ban tobacco advertising, a leading British university has decided to accept a large donation from a controversial cigarette conglomerate sparking a debate over the ethics of academic institutions accepting money from large corporations.

Invariably ``commercial'' funding, it is alleged, is used to orient academic research in areas which will benefit the donor company. Anti-smoking campaigners have protested the Nottingham University's move to accept œ3.8 million from the British American Tobacco (BAT) to set up a centre of corporate studies. The BAT is being investigated by the Department of Trade and Industry following allegations of smuggling, though the company has denied the charge.

Critics say it is disturbing that at a time when even tobacco advertising is being sought to be banned because of the risk of smoking, a prestigious university should accept money, earned from the sale of tobacco, to fund its activities. Activists of the Cancer Research Campaign have called it ``blood money'' and demanded that the university drop the plan. It is pointed out that smoking is the ``biggest'' cause of cancer in Britain and interestingly, Nottingham University itself has a no- smoking policy. The Chairman of the House of Commons Health Committee, Mr. David Hinchliffe is quoted by The Guardian as saying that he was ``astonished'' by the university's decision. Early this year, the committee came out with a report condemning the activities of tobacco companies and suggesting an enquiry into BAT. The donation is seen as an attempt by BAT to buy social respectability, but the university has defended its decision saying BAT had a ``genuine commitment...to supporting higher education and the development of the management skills base in the countries where it operates.''

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Russia makes a point
Next     : U.S. honour for Suu Kyi