Altria Spent Nearly $3.6M Lobbying Gov't in 1Q

Source from:  AP 05/21/2009

Altria Client Services Inc., on behalf of the nation's biggest cigarette maker, spent nearly $3.6 million in the first quarter to lobby for a bill that will give the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate the industry and other issues, according to a recent disclosure form. Altria also lobbied the federal government on legislation involving labor issues and cigarette trafficking in the January-March period, according to the report filed April 20 with the House clerk's office. Richmond, Va.-based Altria Group Inc. owns Marlboro maker Philip Morris USA and UST Inc., the U.S. leader in smokeless tobacco with brands such as Copenhagen and Skoal. Altria has been a strong supporter of the bill that gives industry oversight to the FDA. In April, the House passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The Senate version of the bill is in committee. Enditem