Tobacco.org

4-H Defends Anti-Smoking Program Financed by Tobacco Company 

Some critics also worry that 4-H's reputation might suffer because of its involvement with Philip Morris.

"If you are a youth-development organization -- especially one with four H's in its name, one standing for health -- it's not appropriate to take money from a company that makes a product that is so seriously unhealthy and that presents a serious health risk for youth," says Gary L. Heusel, head of Nebraska's 4-H program. . . 4-H leaders in as many as half the states have declined to participate in the national council's anti-smoking program. . . But critics inside and outside the 4-H system still worry about the tobacco company's involvement. They note that Philip Morris officials participated in planning meetings; that the company will, by agreement with the council, have access to all research and other information from the program; and that the company's name may appear on the program's materials.

Jump to full article »

We realize we are going to have people skeptical of our efforts to reduce youth smoking. . . The only thing we can do is ask that our actions be judged in the long term.
PM spokesman Brendan J. McCormick. Quoted in <i>4-H Defends Anti-Smoking Program Financed by Tobacco Company</i>