TV ads opposing a proposed increase in Oregon's cigarette taxes will now inform viewers about where the money for the campaign is coming from: tobacco company R.J. Reynolds.

The Oregonian reported Sept. 12 that the ads originally stated that they were, "Paid for by Oregonians Against The Blank Check and Reynolds American Inc." But after complaints by TV stations concerned that the ads violated federal rules on political ads, the commercials were revised to state that they were financed by Reynolds American -- the parent company of R.J. Reynolds -- and authorized by Oregonians Against the Blank Check.

Backers of Measure 50, the ballot initiative to raise tobacco taxes to pay for health care in Oregon, called the decision a small but important victory. A new ad in support of Measure 50 calls the Reynolds ads "a pack of lies."

"Big Tobacco is trying to make it sound as if somebody else in Oregon is standing alongside them," said Cathy Kaufmann, spokeswoman for the campaign. In reality, Oregonians Against the Blank Check is paid for with $1.7 million in contributions from Reynolds American and led by Mark Nelson, the company's head lobbyist in Oregon.