The Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation, Columbus, is...

The Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation, Columbus, is considering hiring VTL Associates as a general consultant to replace The Consulting Group. Merle Madrid, a spokesman for Ohio state Treasurer Joseph Deter, the acting fiduciary of the $300 million foundation, said the switch is being considered because Vince Lowry, the fund's main consultant, left The Consulting Group last month to launch VTL. Mr. Madrid said foundation officials would decide whether to make a change at the beginning of next year.