The Advocate - Tobacco exec's gifts to hospitals draw fire

The Advocate - Tobacco exec's gifts to hospitals draw fire: "Tobacco exec's gifts to hospitals draw fire

By Brian Lockhart
Staff Writer

Published June 19 2005

Visitors to Norwalk and Stamford hospitals' gift shops will not find any cigars or smokeless tobacco products made by William Ziegler III's company, Swisher International. As one Norwalk Hospital staffer said: 'Smoking is banned here.'
Even though Swisher's famous Sweets may not be allowed, Ziegler's money certainly appeals to both hospitals' sweet spots. The facilities in recent weeks announced they had each received million-dollar donations from the Darien resident and his family to be used for information technology initiatives to improve patient care."