Tobacco companies are spending more than $1 million on last-minute advertising to oppose a referendum on raising Oregon's tobacco tax to support children's health care, the Associated Press reported Oct. 31.

Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds and other tobacco firms are spending record amounts of money to fight Measure 50, including donating almost $12 million to front groups like Stop the Measure 50 Tax Hike and Oregonians Against the Blank Check. The companies have outspent supporters of the referendum by about four-to-one.

"You have to wonder how much more (advertising time) anyone can buy," said Sarah Wetherson of Democracy Resources Oregon, which tracks campaign spending. "I don't know that it has ever been tested in this state before."

Polls have not been conducted on public opinion about Measure 50, but many worry that the industry-backed ads could lead to the proposal's defeat. On the other hand,  "Another $1.1 million, six days before election day, is not something a winning campaign needs to do," said Cathy Kaufmann, a spokesman for the Yes on Measure 50 campaign. "That's more than just trying to be safe."