I am surprised that no one else has seemed to refer to this aspect in dozens of newspaper articles and TV segments about it. I'm somewhat disappointed. As soon as the government accepts such an offer, and passes such laws to waive the culpability of the tobacco companies in all past and future lawsuits, our government will unintentionally become a co-conspirator with them.
Many people seem to believe that.
They don't consider the situation described above. All to make sure they could pay their agreed settlement. The various agencies that will receive funds from this source will quickly become dependent on those funds. Any threat to the continuation of those funds will be unwelcome. The other subjects described in media articles ARE valid.