Tobacco.org

• Anti-smoking groups call for legislative committees to give back tobacco money 

Legislative campaign committees should give back nearly $100,000 in contributions they have received so far in 2002 from the tobacco industry, a coalition of anti-smoking groups said Tuesday.

Evidence is strong that cigarette companies "engaged in a long-running conspiracy to deceive and defraud the American public," according to Russell Sciandra of the Center for Tobacco Free New York, and their political donations should be treated like those from Enron, WorldCom and other discredited companies.

Candidates have routinely begun to return the donations of companies caught up in accounting scandals, as well as contributions from companies or individuals involved in criminal activities.

In a letter to state political leaders and the chairmen of the campaign committees in the Legislature, the groups said it is "unconscionable" for elected officials and political committees to be accepting tobacco industry cash.

According to contribution reports at the state Board of Elections, Philip Morris has made $39,000 in contributions to legislative election committees, R.J. Reynolds $22,000, Brown & Williamson $20,750 and Lorillard $17,500.

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