IN Monday’s edition I read with interest the feature regarding Durham University’s acceptance of a donation from British American Tobacco towards scholarships for Afghan women.
The company spokeswoman states that BAT “has a corporate responsibility” and the donation “is not an attempt to encourage Afghan women to start smoking”.
BAT has increased its sales in the third world, where illiteracy prevents potential smokers knowing of the horrifying consequences.
The nerve of the company to even talk of “corporate responsibility” is breathtaking beyond belief.
If the company had a shred of corporate responsibility it would have been trying for 40 years to diversify out of tobacco sales instead of building new markets.
Eric Gendle, Middlesbrough.
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