Leading article: Stub it out

Students at Edinburgh have conducted - and won - a campaign to persuade the university's shares in tobacco companies.

Students at Edinburgh have conducted - and won - a campaign to persuade the university's shares in tobacco companies. They are cock-a-hoop at their success. We applaud their efforts and the university's decision to pursue a policy on socially responsible investment. This move comes at a time when the public has become much more concerned about health. All smoking in public places has been banned in Scotland. It is probably only a matter of time before England follows suit. Wise English universities should scrutinise their portfolios with an eye to disinvestment.