Problem/Objective: Teach attendees how to research, identify and neutralize the influence of Big Tobacco political contributions. In advance of the conference session, the Institute will analyze 2006 Big Tobacco contributions to all state-level ballot measures, statewide candidates, state Supreme Court candidates, legislative candidates, and political party committees. The Institute will distribute a research report with the findings at the conference.

Methods: Train-the-trainer workshop demonstration, 15 minutes , followed by hands-on case examples, questions and answers.

Results: Strengthen participant abilities to educate the public on the significant role of Big Tobacco on who is elected, and on taxation policies in the states, clean air and other related issues.

Conclusions: The Institute's preliminary 2006 database includes campaign-finance reports documenting over $72 million was given by Big Tobacco to influence election outcomes in just three states: California (Prop 86), Arizona (Prop 206) and Ohio (Issue 4). Conference participants can use the information to strenthen their public education and neutralize the influence.