Tobacco Companies Funding Much of Opposition to Tobacco Tax Initiative

Campaign spending reports show almost all of the money being spent in Missouri to oppose a proposed tobacco tax increase is coming from big tobacco. Reynolds America has contributed $2.2-Million of the $2.3-Million raised by Missourians Against Tax Abuse, the group opposing passage of the amendment. Backers of the amendment have raised $3.1-Million overall, most of it coming from hospitals and anti-smoking advocates.