Yale should divest itself of tobacco stocks

To the Editor:

It was discouraging to learn of the Yale Corporation’s April decision not to divest its considerable holdings in tobacco stocks. I urge the medical school to lobby in favor of divestiture.

Physicians need to be more outspoken about the dangers of alcohol and cigarettes. The late Dr. John Knowles, former president of the Rockefeller Foundation, said we could cut the nation’s health bill by 50 percent if everyone stopped smoking
and drinking!

My father graduated from the School of Medicine in 1934 and our family enjoys your magazine.

Edward T. O’Donnell Jr.
Wilmington, Del.