Tobacco.org

• EDITORIAL: Uncle Ezra and the Marlboro Man  

In a move overtly designed to legitimize itself as something more than a legalized drug enterprise, Philip Morris USA has agreed to fund almost $1 million worth of research in Cornell’s Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics. This is the same company that laments the health risks of smoking while concurrently manufacturing such national staples as Marlboro and Virginia Slims.

The hypocrisy of tobacco companies like Philip Morris has been well-documented, but the hypocrisy of Cornell, at least in this instance, merits another look. Cornell may be hard up for cash, but the decision to affiliate with a major tobacco company ignores the established moral code of this University. . . .

The relationship is especially unclear given Cornell’s decision last year to divest from companies with financial ties in Darfur and the Sudan. Cornell has demonstrated a history of taking action against gross corporate irresponsibility, yet the University continues to support a company that is killing people in the here and now.

Cornell is toeing a thin line in its affiliation with big tobacco. Schools like the University of Texas have spurned donations from major tobacco companies, yet this University has yet to take a similar stand. It’s time for that to change. Sure, big tobacco might be peddling some serious cash. But rich or poor, the Marlboro Man can never be welcome in Uncle Ezra’s house.

Jump to full article »