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Group criticizes 4-H for taking Philip Morris grant 

Tobacco giant Phillip Morris says it is giving $40,000 to Connecticut 4-H Clubs and the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System, as part of its effort to keep young people away from cigarettes.

But the anti-tobacco MATCH Coalition appealed to 4-H Wednesday to reject the grant on the grounds that Philip Morris is using 4-H as a ''front organization'' to repair the company's battered public image. . . ''If Philip Morris were serious about wanting to stop kids from smoking, they would stop marketing to children,'' said Rochelle Ripley, spokeswoman for MATCH. . . Ripley said presenting tobacco use as a ''choice'' will just make children want to smoke more. MATCH has favored curriculum that teaches children that smoking causes cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.

''They have made a very serious error in judgment,'' Ripley said.

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