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Big Tobacco not sitting idly

You don't hear much about Big Tobacco these days--it seems that everyone's favorite corporate bogeyman lost its luster after numerous setbacks on the legal front, in public relations, and elsewhere. Everyone seemed to 'get' the idea that the tobacco industry distorted facts, put profits before people, and should be punished severly.

But don't be deceived.

Big Tobacco is still a heavyweight in the world of campaign contributions and lobbying. What they're still doing to protect their profits--at the continued expense of public health--highlights how our much power a wealthy special interest group can wield in our campaign system. Even Big Tobacco.

Despite its split over the FDA measure and declining fortunes in the United States, the tobacco lobby still has significant clout and gives sizably to lawmakers. In the 2006 election cycle, the industry gave more than $19 million in campaign contributions, the lion's share coming from Altria ($12.8 million), according to data compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

Altria also knows its friends. According to disclosure forms filed with the Federal Elections Commission, the company forked over $12,000 during the 2005-2006 cycle to Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., who is the chief Republican co-sponsor of the FDA legislation in the House.

What is this "FDA legislation" the tobacco industry is so worried about? Follow me inside to find out....

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Tags: tobacco, money in politics, lobbying (all tags)


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