By walking out on talks, industry hopes it can win over public - or sweeten deal.
Tobacco companies are now the good guys.
They are the victims of a zealous Congress. They really want kids to stop smoking. At least that's the message the companies are about to disseminate far and wide now that they've abandoned negotiations for a national tobacco deal. Some Republicans worry they could be politically vulnerable if they side too closely with the companies. Lawsuits against the industry will continue.