Altria spent nearly $2.7 million in 3rd quarter lobbying on health care, cigarette trafficking

Altria Client Services Inc., on behalf of the nation’s biggest cigarette maker, spent nearly $2.7 million in the third quarter to lobby the federal government on legislation involving health care issues and cigarette trafficking, according to a recent disclosure form.
Altria also lobbied on legislation involving taxes, and a climate bill to create clean energy jobs and reduce greenhouse gases in the July-September period, according to the report filed Oct. 20 with the House clerk’s office.
Richmond, Va.-based Altria Group Inc. owns Marlboro maker Philip Morris USA and UST Inc., the U.S. leader in smokeless tobacco with brands such as Copenhagen and Skoal.