Jump to full article: Independent Newspapers Ltd. / STUFF (nz), 2008-08-23
Author: LANE NICHOLS - The Dominion Post
Intro: An anti-litter group is being bankrolled by a $300,000 donation from British American Tobacco.
Not-for-profit environmental organisation Keep New Zealand Beautiful has signed a three-year deal with the cigarette company and has received smaller payments since 2005.
A company official also sits on Keep New Zealand Beautiful's board as an industry representative, though the board chairman insists there are no strings attached.
In its latest social report, the multinational company says the money will help minimise the impact of pollution by cigarette butts, in line with its environmentally-focused business activities.
But anti-smoking groups have labelled the deal an attempt to legitimise the actions of a corporate monster whose products help kill 5000 New Zealanders each year.
Jump to full article » |