The Democratic takeover of congress is likely to improve prospects for proposed federal regulation of cigarettes, an issue of key importance to Richmond, Virginia-based Philip Morris USA.

A Democratic-run senate may force president Bush to rethink his contentious nominations to vacancies on the Richmond-based federal appeals court, regarded as one of the nation's most conservative. These are just two in an array of topics of concern to Virginians that will be debated and fought on a vastly different battleground come January, when Democrats take control of both chambers of congress.
In the business and health arena, the Republican-controlled senate passed legislation in 2004 that would have imposed sweeping new Food and Drug Administration regulation over the tobacco industry. But leaders in the GOP-controlled house blocked the proposed FDA controls over tobacco manufacturing and sales.
The controls were strongly supported by tobacco giant Philip Morris and opposed by leading rivals, including number two cigarette-maker RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co.
The Democratic takeover of congress improves "a thousand-fold" the prospects for the legislation in congress, Washington consultant Scott Ballin, who has worked to bridge health groups and farmers, said last week.
Less expansive but still hopeful was John Scruggs, vice president of government affairs for Altria Group, the parent company of Philip Morris. "With the Democrats now setting the agenda in the House, prospects have improved" for FDA legislation, Scruggs said.
"Where that is on the list of priorities is very difficult to determine," he added. (pi)