TOBACCO INDUSTRY CHIDED FOR TRADING ADS FOR VOTES

WASHINGTON - The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, an advocacy group that
favored the tobacco bill killed by Senate Republicans earlier this month,
asked the Federal Election Commission yesterday to stop the tobacco
industry from running ads supporting senators who voted against the bill
and are running for re-election.

In a complaint to the FEC, the anti-smoking group charged that such a
campaign would violate FEC rules against corporate contributions to federal
candidates. According to the complaint, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told
Republican colleagues in a closed session June 17 that cigarette makers
would run ads supporting candidates "who voted against the bill." A few
hours later, the hotly contested bill was narrowly defeated.

Matthew Myers, the campaign's general counsel, said the promised ads are
designed to give "political cover to those who handed the tobacco industry
this victory."

Scott Williams, a spokesman for the industry, which spent more than $40
million opposing the bill in a TV and radio campaign, said the "allegation
is without merit." But he added that the industry "will not stand idly by
and allow others to distort the truth about the debate that has occurred in
Washington."

Despite the bill's defeat, the industry has continued the campaign with a
revamped ad, saying some politicians are trying to revive the measure.
Cigarette makers, who portrayed the bill as a high-tax, big-government
measure, may be starting a new round of ads next week, according to an
industry source.

FEC rules prohibit corporations from running ads that give outright
endorsements to candidates. But starting in campaigns two years ago,
interest groups such as labor unions and business associations have tested
that limit by running "issue advocacy" ads that named candidates and
praised or condemned them.

According to sources familiar with the closed Senate meeting, McConnell,
who heads the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told colleagues
that the companies would run ads in October for senators attacked by the
public health community for their vote
against the tobacco bill.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)