The measure would increase the price of cigarettes and give the government broad authority to regulate tobacco products. However, debate has slowed considerably because of moves by Gramm and others to attach unrelated amendments, such as eliminating the tax burden on married couples and funding anti-drug efforts. Even though she has been angered at the tobacco companies' attitudes, Hutchison has not embraced the anti-smoking measure before the Senate, in part, because it is opposed by the industry. She said she believes proposed restrictions on tobacco advertising in the original bill will never come to pass because the industry will not voluntarily comply with the ban. Despite increasing reluctance by some lawmakers to accept donations, the big tobacco companies have continued to pour large amounts into the political system.
Some companies appear to be making donations through their non-tobacco affiliates.
The cigarette makers are also shifting their resources from backing individual candidates to making unrestricted donations to political parties and their House and Senate re-election committees. Common Cause president Ann McBride said that the tobacco industry can still wield influence over lawmakers through soft money contributions. And she questioned whether lawmakers could distance themselves from the companies unless they condemned their parties' acceptance of the money. Not all lawmakers who take tobacco money are opposed to the anti-smoking legislation. Green said he accepts money from large tobacco companies that have non-tobacco related subsidiaries that employ workers in his district.