First, a judge would first determine whether the companies engaged in unfair business practices by hiding information about the dangers of tobacco. Then, a jury would hear state and local governments' claims for money they spent treating sick smokers. The companies could be ordered to pay at each phase. Prager sends the order to the state Judicial Council, which will choose the trial site and judge who will hear the cases. The judge appointed by the council will then set the trial date.
States preparing for trial include Washington, Arizona, Oklahoma and Massachusetts.
Washington's trial is scheduled first, in mid-September. A bill that would have settled the federal government's dispute with tobacco died in the Senate earlier this month. Copyright 1999 Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.