The U.S. tobacco manufacturers that will be hit hardest are some of the biggest in the world, including R.J. Reynolds, Philip Morris and British-American Tobacco. These companies and smaller American tobacco manufacturers will pay fines over the next 25 years. The deal has far-reaching legal and practical implications. The money will also fund health care for smokers who have tobacco-related illnesses. The settlement would cover any legal, medical or regulatory issue related to smoking in the U.S. Tobacco companies would not face future lawsuits from large groups, but individuals could recover money for damages.
Studies show that nicotine is the product in tobacco which causes addiction.
Under the agreement, the administration could ban nicotine from cigarettes as soon as the year 2009. Tobacco companies must work to prevent smoking among young people, especially teenagers. Marketing and cigarette sales in the U.S. will be strictly limited. Among other things, all billboards, outdoor signs, cartoons and cigarette machines will be banned. The agreement says humans cannot be portrayed in cigarette advertisements.