Because of gaping loopholes in federal laws aimed at blocking special interest money in politics, Big Tobacco has been able to make a significant investment that has resulted in support for several of their proposals. For instance, leaders in the House of Representatives were able to bring to the full House a measure aimed at protecting the tobacco industry from a Justice Department lawsuit. Plus, Congress remains loathe to confront the tobacco industry on such issues as health regulation and sales restrictions, USA Today said.

Congress also continues to block a recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control that would require states to spend 20 percent of their national tobacco settlement on smoking prevention, the editorial noted. In addition, lawmakers have refused to consider enacting a major cigarette tax in order to curb youth smoking.

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