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Tobacco under attack
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Tobacco companies offer documents

Philip Morris Cos. and RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. have reportedly offered to disclose their industry's private research into smoking and health problems as part of a possible legal settlement.

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B A C K G R O U N D

The tobacco industry, unscathed after decades of attacks from critics, lawmakers and health experts, now faces its stiffest challenge.

In the past two years, tobacco companies have been put on the defensive after a series of setbacks, including:

  • Revelations by whistleblowers and the release of internal company documents indictating that some tobacco companies have known for years that nicotine is addictive.
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  • New federal regulations, approved by President Clinton last August, that declare nicotine an addictive drug.
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  • In March, tobacco giant Liggett Group Inc. reached an unprecedented lawsuit settlement with 22 U.S. states, becoming the first tobacco company to admit that cigarettes are addictive and can cause cancer.
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CNN Interactive, in conjunction with CNNfn, provides the following detailed coverage of recent developments in the ongoing battle over tobacco.

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The tobacco giants appear to be on the defensive, with one company already settling lawsuits filed by 22 states trying to recoup costs associated with smoking-related ailments. Other companies are reportedly negotiating a settlement.

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