US tobacco agreement

Washington - US states yesterday unveiled details of a $206 billion agreement to settle their lawsuits against American tobacco…

Washington - US states yesterday unveiled details of a $206 billion agreement to settle their lawsuits against American tobacco firms, including sweeping curbs on advertising and measures to cut teen smoking.

The deal, which would be the largest ever settlement of a civil lawsuit, was negotiated by eight states and requires the support of several more states to take effect. President Clinton greeted the proposal as an important first step but said Congress must still pass broad tobacco legislation.