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States talk tobacco
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August 28, 1996: 3:39 p.m. ET
Attorneys general convene in Chicago to consider new proposals
From Correspondent Ceci Rodgers
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CHICAGO (CNNfn) -- The presidential race isn't the only topic of discussion at The Democratic National Convention this week. Fifteen state attorneys general, in Chicago for the convention, met Tuesday to debate a possible settlement with the tobacco industry. The states have sued to recover taxpayer money spent on the high cost of health problems related to smoking.
Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore, the person who fired the first shot in the battle, said a proposal to settle the states' massive lawsuit is not dead on arrival.
"We know what our goals are," Moore said. "What we have to do is sit down and decide if the industry is going to meet those goals and if it's done in a way that's in the best interest of the public."
One goal is to recover taxpayer dollars spent to treat poor people with diseases related to smoking. The figure being tossed around -- $6 billion to be split among all 50 states -- is being blasted by anti-smoking groups as far too small.
Another goal is to stop tobacco advertisements aimed at children, something President Clinton and the Food and Drug Administration are also trying to accomplish.
Altough a settlement would avoid protracted litigation, the attorneys general made it clear they're ready to try their cases in court.
"We're going to either resolve them through some sort of settlement...or else we're going to just beat them, starting in Mississippi, then we'll go to the next state," Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods said. "It'll be a very unhappy experience for the tobacco companies."
RJR Nabisco, the No. 2 cigarette maker, said it has no intention of settling any smoking-related cases. But the attorneys general insist the tobacco companies, spooked by mounting public pressure, are negotiating. 
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