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Big tobacco lawsuits

IN-DEPTH SPECIAL:

Tobacco under attack

September 22, 1999
Web posted at: 5:26 a.m. EDT (0926 GMT)

From CNN Justice Department Correspondent Pierre Thomas

WASHINGTON (CNN)--The Justice Department plans to file a multi-billion dollar lawsuit as early as Wednesday against the major tobacco companies, administration sources have told CNN.

Government action would make good on a promise made by the president during this year's State of the Union Address.

The government plans to charge that the tobacco industy produces a product that costs taxpayers billions of dollars each year in health related costs.

As outlined earlier this year, the government will seek to recoup those losses.

The lawsuit is expected to be filed in federal court.

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