Big Tobacco Spends Big on State Politics

Source from:  Wednesday, July 25, 2007 ledger-dispatch.com By Kelly Enos 08/03/2007

California has been one of the most successful states in the fight against tobacco use and second hand smoke. Despite this success, or perhaps because of it, tobacco interests continue to contribute millions of dollars to state politicians, according to a report by the California Center for Tobacco Policy & Organizing. The report examined political contributions during the 2005-06 election cycle and found that tobacco companies and tobacco-affiliated organizations spent more than $66 million on campaign contributions and more than $2 million on lobbying. The bulk of tobacco money went toward defeating Proposition 86, which would have raised the cigarette tax by $2.60 a pack, as well as raised taxes on other tobacco-related products, raising money for tobacco prevention, research on diseases caused by tobacco and other measures, according to the report. Tobacco interests spent $62 million lobbying against the tax, which was defeated by 52 percent of state voters. Justin Garrett of the American Lung Association said the report showed that tobacco interests continue to play major roles in Sacramento ballot initiatives that were voted on statewide. "Even with all of the success our state has had in fighting the tobacco industry, they have not given up and are actively trying to addict more young people," he said. Garrett added that the tobacco industry spent more in this two-year cycle than over the past four elections combined, and that legislators who received campaign contributions increased from 48 percent in 2003-04 to 53 percent in 2005-06. "It just shows that local advocates need to be ever vigilant in the fight against the tobacco industry's influence," he said. Some tobacco money has also found its way into Sen. Dave Cox's (R-Fair Oaks) campaign fund, according to the report. He received $8,600 from tobacco interests last year, including $2,000 from RJ Reynolds. In the last few decades, the tobacco industry has been dominated by four companies: Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds, Brown & Williamson and Lorillard. Between them, these companies control more than 85 percent of the U.S. market for cigarettes. Cox told the Ledger Dispatch on Monday the money represented a broad base of support. "This shows that I have great diversity in contributions from several companies as I am pro-jobs and anti-taxation," he said. Cox also criticized advocate groups he said would interfere with California's growth and opposed what he deemed unnecessary taxes. "California Lung (Association) is bad for rural communities," he said. "I feel it is fair to say that California Lung is anti-job and supportive of taxation." Amador County has no tobacco farmers, according to the Agriculture Department, so the local impacts to that economy are not known. Citing the association's recent desire to have diesel vehicles removed from California roads, Cox characterized the report as "another way of taking jobs from Californians. Without a truck you cannot get your Cheerios into the grocery store and etc.," he added. The region's other local legislator, Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi, didn't receive tobacco money, according to the report. Nakanishi said he felt it would be "unethical" as a physician to accept money from a product he said is unhealthy. Because tobacco companies and affiliates hire lobbyists, they are considered lobbyist employers by the Secretary of State and are required to submit quarterly disclosure reports. Philip Morris files its report of campaign contributions under the name of Altria Group Inc., which includes Kraft Foods Global. "I want to send the message that tobacco use is not healthy and to educate people on the issue," Nakanishi said. He added that he has been sent monetary contributions from the tobacco companies, but sent them back. "Once again I reiterate (that) tobacco is unhealthy and I will not use money from that source," he said. For a full copy of Tobacco Money in California Politics, visit www.center4tobaccopolicy.org. Enditem