Footing the bill
US Tobacco companies are finally being made to foot the medical bill of smokers across the country. Forty-six states in the US and cigarette-makers have unanimously agreed on a US $206 billion resolution of tobacco health claims.Christine Gregoire, who led the negotiations for the states, said that the settlement with US tobacco companies will cover all 46 states that have reimbursement claims as well as those that have not sued. Four states have settled suits against cigarette makers. The states sought to recover the medical costs of smokers who became ill.
Tobacco companies have also agreed to pay US $1.45 billion over five years to fund anti-smoking campaigns and US $250 million over 10 years to create a public health foundation to reduce teenage smoking, which would include advertising and marketing restrictions.
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