Big Tobacco and Government: Hand in Hand

Nov. 23, 2005 — -- Forty years have passed since cigarettes were first linked to cancer. Yet there is still no federal law to require the cigarette industry to reveal what chemicals and additives are mixed in with the tobacco.

"Tobacco remains the least regulated product that Americans consume," said Matt Myers of the National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids.

"What has changed over the years is that no member of Congress wants to be associated with a tobacco company, but that doesn't mean they won't take their campaign contributions, fly on their jets and do their bidding behind closed doors," Myers said.

It has been 11 years since the House of Representatives held a hearing on the dangers of tobacco. At that time, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., placed the CEOs of the tobacco companies under oath. Since then, Republicans, under the leadership of Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, have been in control.

"The investment the tobacco companies have made in Tom DeLay and the Republicans is paying off splendidly for them," Waxman said.