Learning Objectives: Describe how the tobacco companies make campaign contributions at the federal and state level and how these contributions influence the legislative process.
Abstract: Since 1997, the tobacco industry has given more than $19 million in political contributions to members of Congress, candidates for federal office, national political parties and political action committees. Big Tobacco continues to make campaign contributions to influence legislation at the federal level as well as in the states.
This session would include brief history / overview of how the tobacco industry has made campaign contributions in the past and what these contributions have bought the industry. The main focus of the session would be panelists speaking on both state and federal campaign finance issues. Presentation topics would include: tobacco company federal campaign contributions during the past election cycle and the impact on legislation (the Nov. 2002 CFTFK report), tobacco contributions at the state level and the impact on legislation, how to search for state campaign finance data, the impact of federal campaign finance reform, and the emerging influence and importance of 527s (what they are and how to track them).
Back to Buying Influence, Selling Death
Back to Public Policy and Advocacy Strategies
Back to The 2002 National Conference on Tobacco or Health