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Tobacco may approve ban
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May 5, 1997: 10:49 a.m. ET
Cigarette makers are willing to accept a ban on workplace smoking
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) -- The tobacco industry is reportedly willing to accept two more proposals in its continuing talks to settle pending litigation from the states.
Cigarette makers are amenable to accepting a ban on most workplace smoking and blunt tobacco warnings on its products, USA Today said Monday.
Under the new concessions, the industry would drop its objections to a proposed law which would prohibit smoking in most workplaces while exempting bars and restaurants.
It would also accept bold-print warning labels with phrases such as "smoking kills" and "nicotine is addictive."
Tobacco companies will resume talks with state attorneys general Monday in Dallas. The industry has already offered to pay billions of dollars in damages and accept new marketing restrictions.
A key obstacle in the talks has been how much protection from litigation the cigarette companies will receive. They are looking for blanket immunity for their concessions but the attorneys general have said they will not allow that.
The states are looking for tobacco to help pay off the public health care costs of people with smoking-related illnesses.
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