Tobacco Lobby Sponsors Junket

For dozens of congressmen and congressional aides, getting caught up on tobacco-related issues meant spending the weekend at a lavish golf resort in a getaway sponsored by the Tobacco Institute.

The three-day annual legislative conference of the tobacco industry’s lobbying group wrapped up Monday at The Phoenician resort.

Institute officials refused to say how many people attended, which members of Congress were there or what was on the agenda, but said the main topic of conversation was the new federal tobacco regulations taking effect Feb. 28.

More regulations, set to take effect in August, are being fought in North Carolina federal court.