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ASH has learned that several state attorneys general are seeking to drum up grass roots support for a deal to settle the outstanding state law suits against the tobacco industy.  However, they are refusing to provide antismoking, medical, public health, and other organizations with the details of the proposed settlement.

ASH suggests that all groups interested in the issue of smoking immediately contact their attorney general and say that they will not support the deal -- nor matter how much money it may bring them -- until they learn the full terms: e.g., is the state making any concessions such as limiting the tobacco industry's liability to cities and counties, etc.; and are the states requiring the tobacco industry to take real and hard-hitting steps to limit teen smoking such as banning cigarette vending machines, cigarette billboards, cartoon characters in cigarette ads, tobacco sponsorship of sporting events, etc.

 For more information about what you can do,  click here

Here's a recent article:

Excerpts from State negotiator optimistic of national tobacco deal

By Carrie Hedges, USA TODAY [07/31/98]

After leading four days of intensive bargaining in New York, Washington state Attorney General Christine Gregoire told reporters she was "optimistic" an out-of-court settlement could be reached in
the next several weeks.

Nine states and the tobacco industry hope to strike a deal that does not need congressional approval and settle most, or all, of the 37 pending state lawsuits against the tobacco companies.

Washington is the next state scheduled to take its lawsuit to court, with a trial to begin on Sept. 14. Ten states are scheduled to follow next year.

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