Philip Morris Inc. has talked to dozens of lawmakers in a lobbying campaign to persuade Congress to give the government new authority to regulate tobacco.
Health advocates say they're wary of the about-face by the nation's largest cigarette manufacturer.
It was Parrish who announced a year ago Philip Morris would support regulation by the Food and Drug Administration. Soon after, the Supreme Court ruled FDA needs the permission of Congress to do that, which prompted the lobbying effort on what Parrish said is the company's No. 1 priority. Tommy Thompson, the Health and Human Services secretary, supports regulation, but the Bush administration has not proposed legislation. Health advocates also want regulation but are skeptical of Philip Morris. Paul Billings, a lobbyist for the American Lung Association, called the company's actions clever and troubling.