EX-SENATOR'S LAW FIRM LOBBIED FOR TOBACCO

Former Senate majority leader Howard Backer's law firm was paid $1.4
million by tobacco companies in the first half of 1998 to lobby for
reshaping and later killing a broad bill that included reducing youth
smoking, new Senate records show.

A week ago, it was disclosed that another high-profile Washington law
firm was paid $7.1 million in the same period to help the nation's top
five tobacco companies lobby Congress. That firm, Verner, Liipfert,
Bernhard, McPherson and Hand, employs former Senate Majority
Leaders George Mitchell and Bob Dole, and former Texas Gov. Ann
Richards.

In early April, the tobacco industry gave up on reshaping the Senate's
main tobacco bill and began working to defeat it. In mid-June, the
Senate shelved the legislation.

The industry described the bill as a big tax hike for smokers in
national advertising on radio and TV, and continues advertising in
some markets in case Congress is tempted to debate a similar bill.

More than $40 million reportedly has been spent this year on
advertising.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry