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Tobacco talks end amid optimism
April 21, 1997
Web posted at: 11:10 p.m. EDT (0310 GMT)
CHICAGO (CNN) -- Two days of settlement negotiations between the tobacco industry and states suing the companies for damages ended in Chicago Monday, with the lead negotiator for the states saying he's "cautiously optimistic" that an agreement will be reached.
"Things are going well," said Mississippi Attorney General Michael Moore. "Over the past few days, we've had some good, frank exchanges."
But, Moore added, "This is going to be a tough, long process," taking weeks or months to complete. People close to the talks said negotiations will resume probably next week at a location yet to be determined.
Moore said money is not the focus of the talks, despite reports that tobacco companies have agreed to pay some $300 billion for tobacco-related deaths.
"Our responsibility is to change the way they do business" and protect the public health and children, Moore said.
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- Negotiator: Money not main objective in tobacco talks - April 20, 1997
- As smoking goes passe in U.S., Third World lights up - April 16, 1997
- Tobacco looks to settle - April 16, 1997
- R.J. Reynolds faces civil trial in smoker's death - April 7, 1997
- To smoke or not to smoke: What is the cost? - April 6, 1997
- Liggett Tobacco settles with California - April 3, 1997
- CNNfn: Liggett settles with 22 states - March 20, 1997
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window- RJR Nabisco Shareholder--Direct - R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company information
- Brooke Group, Ltd. Home Page - Brooke Group is a holding company which owns Liggett Group Inc.
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