MPAAT was established by court order in 1998. It was funded with $202 million, of which $102 million was earmarked to help Minnesota residents quit smoking. Instead, the organization used part of the money to support groups fighting for smoking bans in restaurants and bars throughout the state. The efforts failed in most communities.

Testifying before the Minnesota House of Representatives Health and Human Services Policy Committee, MPAAT leaders defended the group's pursuit of smoking bans, as well as its funding strategy.

But Attorney General Mike Hatch urged MPAAT to return to its original focus to help Minnesotans quit smoking after he received a number of complaints.

Rep. Fran Bradley (R-Rochester), the committee chairwoman, said the committee also will question MPAAT's board members regarding the awarding of grants. A Star Tribune analysis found that of the $4.5 million in grant money awarded, 82 percent went to individuals or groups with ties to MPAAT's board of directors or its advisory committees.

Under the organization's funding policy, groups represented by board members could receive oney as long as involved board members excused themselves from discussion or voting on the particular grant. An MPAAT report indicated that board members whose organizations were grant finalists did not follow policy and actually participated in the voting.

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