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Tobacco trials' timeline
May 1994 -- Mississippi becomes the first state to file suit against the tobacco companies to recoup Medicaid costs.
November 21, 1995 -- Tobacco industry whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand sued by former employer Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. for breach of contract after an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes."
March 15, 1996 -- Cigarette manufacturer Liggett Group settles with five states, agrees to repay more than $10 million in Medicaid bills for treatment of smoking-related illnesses.
March 18, 1996 -- A former Philip Morris scientist tells federal regulators that the company controlled nicotine levels in cigarettes to assure continued sales.
April 18, 1996 -- First non-prescription nicotine gum hits market.
June 3, 1996 -- Eclipse, the first smokeless cigarette, goes on sale.
July 19, 1996 -- Connecticut becomes 10th state to file suit against tobacco companies for Medicaid compensation in tobacco-related illness treatment.
August 1996 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposes new regulations that restrict tobacco advertising targeting teen-agers and make it harder for minors to purchase tobacco.
August 21, 1996 -- U.S. President Bill Clinton approves FDA regulations.
August 23, 1996 -- Clinton declares nicotine addictive.
October 1, 1996 -- Utah becomes 16th state to join tobacco lawsuit.
October 1996 -- Tobacco companies file a motion in a North Carolina court asking for a summary judgment to throw out the FDA rules
October 1996 -- Pentagon announces plans to end tobacco subsidy at U.S. military commissaries.
November 5, 1996 -- Florida files criminal charges against tobacco industry.
December 1996 -- Justice Department files 149-page brief outlining FDA's case for regulating tobacco.
December 1996 -- Florida allows racketeering charge for tobacco companies.
February 1997 -- Oral arguments presented in court for both sides of the case.
March 20, 1997 -- Liggett Group settles lawsuits with another 22 states, agrees to pay $750 million and becomes first tobacco company to admit that cigarettes are addictive and can cause cancer.
March 26, 1997 -- Federal Trade Commission asked to probe whether R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.'s "Joe Camel" ads target children.
April 20, 1997 -- Negotiators for tobacco companies and anti-smoking forces start meetings to settle tobacco claims. Reports say tobacco industry could pay up to $300 billion over 25 years into a compensation fund for smokers, seeks immunity from future lawsuits in return.
April 25, 1997 - North Carolina judge says FDA can regulate access to cigarettes not advertising or promotion of tobacco.
Special section:
CNN Plus:
Related stories:
- FDA wins some authority to regulate tobacco - April 25, 1997
- Tobacco talks end amid optimism - April 21, 1997
- 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
- FDA tobacco regulations debated in court - February 10, 1997
- Tobacco industry, FDA set to square off in court - February 9, 1997
- Florida allows racketeering charge for tobacco companies - December 13, 1996
- Feds defend right to regulate tobacco - December 2, 1996
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window- FDA
- 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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