In Idaho, Big Tobacco Spends Big Bucks to Buy Influence
Lawmakers must choose: Protect kids or protect industry profits
Editor
Feb 17, 2012
From Idaho comes the latest evidence that the tobacco industry will go to great lengths — and spare no expense — to protect its profits and defeat measures proven to keep kids from smoking.
According to a report in the Idaho Falls Post Register, the Altria Group, the nation’s largest tobacco company and parent of Philip Morris USA, spent more money lobbying Idaho officials last year than any other group. Altria spent $165,076 lobbying in the state in 2011 — it’s the only group to spend more than $100,000, and its total is 82 percent more than the next biggest spender.
Continue reading In Idaho, Big Tobacco Spends Big Bucks to Buy Influence


