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Clinton eyes tobacco deal
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September 15, 1997: 8:33 a.m. ET
President will push for major, unspecified changes in the proposal
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - President Clinton reportedly will push for major, unspecified changes in the proposed $368.5 billion tobacco settlement that could delay passage of any law this year, a newspaper said Monday.
Clinton won't detail proposed changes because it could give opponents an edge to torpedo the settlement, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The president will make an announcement midweek, the newspaper said.
Clinton has been under pressure to push for bigger concessions from the tobacco industry.
The deal between a group of attorneys general and Big Tobacco would require companies to pay out billions over the next 25 years to settle a wave of lawsuits and start tough anti-smoking programs. The companies will admit for the first time that tobacco is addictive and causes cancer.
But critics say the industry will be able to thrive without the ominous threat of lawsuits. Class-action suits were also banned, and there is a $5 billion cap per year on new claims.
And in order for the FDA to regulate nicotine, critics say it will have to jump through a series of legal hoops. The agency can't limit nicotine for 12 years and has to first prove it won't create a black market.
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