Black Groups Reject Tobacco Money
Several black groups in California have signed a pledge not to accept
any money or sponsorship from tobacco companies, noting that tobacco
products are the leading killer of African Americans, the San Francisco
Chronicle reported May 24.
Local chapters of 100 Black Men, Bay Area Black Nurses, and the
San Francisco Black Firefighters Association signed the pledge as
part of a coalition organized by the San Francisco African American
Tobacco Free Project.
Since the 1960s, tobacco companies have made contributions to groups
like the United Negro College Fund and the National Urban League.
But an estimated 45,000 African Americans die each year from smoking-related
diseases.
"This is just to show the hypocrisy of taking money from someone
who is killing you," said project spokeswoman Carol McGruder.
"Our colleges take it. Marlboro even gives out baby clothes
to babies in Africa."
Tobacco companies reject the assertion that they are promoting
smoking in the black community by funding these programs. "Whatever
donations we make or contributions we do is in light of the fact
that we have consumers in those communities," said Brown &
Williamson spokesman Mark Smith. "We sponsor a number of national
organizations. When we give to the National Kidney Foundation of
Kentucky, does that mean we cater to them? Their argument is not
well-founded."
The coalition hopes that other local and national professional
groups decline tobacco dollars, as well. |
