US: Big Tobacco and Higher Education

Source from:  Muckety 05/13/2013

Although tobacco is banned from restaurants, bars and public airwaves, it is still embraced by many of the nation's colleges.

The industry clearly has targeted higher ed connections as one way of reaching two prime markets: young people and blacks.

Altria, maker of Marlboro, the biggest selling cigarette brand in the U.S., is a case in point.

Execs and directors of the Virginia-based company hold board seats with the United Negro College Fund, Howard University, the University of Richmond and other institutions.

Altria also gives millions of dollars to colleges around the country. Its list of 2012 grantees (pdf) includes more than 50 colleges, college-related foundations and scholarship funds.

Altria director John T. Casteen III is Virginia's former education secretary, a director of the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education and former president of the University of Virginia, which received a $26 million gift from the company.

College officials who land board posts with tobacco companies benefit personally, as well. Casteen's pay package from Altria exceeded $275,000 last year.

Other million-dollar-plus recipients of Altria's largesse in recent years include Virginia Commonwealth University and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

Philanthropy, whether it's through grants or underwriting of the Altria College Opportunity Fund scholarship program, can serve as an alternate advertising platform for the company, enabling it to issue press releases with headlines such as: "Altria to Help Make Future Brighter for Richmond Public Schools Seniors."

Altria isn't the only tobacco company forging educational ties. The map below adds connections of Reynolds American and Lorillard:

Despite the industry's efforts, more campuses are banning smoking. Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights reports that at least 1,159 colleges now have non-smoking policies, compared with 530 campuses two years ago.

Virginia, unsurprisingly, is not at the forefront of the movement. Enditem