For at least several of the lobbyists who have quit, the main reason was the threat of being dragged into the attorney general's litigation against the tobacco companies, several people familiar with the situation said. Several tobacco lobbyists were also concerned that they would be portrayed as having conflicts of interest because they also do business with health care companies, people familiar with the situation said. Most of the lobbyists who have recently stopped representing tobacco also have big contracts with health care associations and companies. However, another lobbyist who in the past has worked both for tobacco and health-care companies thinks the danger posed by a possible conflict was real. Any reputable lobbyist in this business tries to avoid that conflict early, before it happens.
Consumer groups add that there's an obvious problem representing both industries.