Smoking kills: tobacco firm
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The world's major tobacco companies, including British American Tobacco, were readying for battle last night after one of their own broke ranks and, in a remarkable public confession, accepted that smoking is addictive and can kill.
The admission came in a dramatic settlement reached by the Liggett Group, the number five cigarette manufacturer in the United States, with the attorneys general of 22 US states. All 22 are pursuing lawsuits against the whole industry that could result in billions of dollars in medical damages.
"This is the beginning of the end for the conspiracy of lies and deception that has been perpetrated against the American public by the tobacco companies," declared Grant Woods, the Attorney General of Arizona.
Liggett, which makes Chesterfield and L&M cigarettes, formally acknowledged that cigarettes are addictive and medically harmful and pledged to begin saying as much in new warnings printed on their packs. It has agreed to pay out 25 per cent of its pre-tax profits for the next 25 years.
The company pledged also to hand over internal documents that threaten to expose the industry's alleged efforts to conceal the dangers of smoking.
Philip Morris, the industry leader, hit back even before last night's announcement. In a North Carolina court, it won a temporary restraining order to block the release by Liggett of the documents.
The manoeuvre was ridiculed by the attorneys general, however. "That dog won't hunt," insisted Mike Moore of Mississippi. The first of the lawsuit trials is set to open in his state in just three weeks' time.
Mr Moore said the Liggett papers were the "most incriminating documents ever in the history of tobacco litigation".
Predicting that they would be released in time for the trial, he added: "I guarantee that we will bring the tobacco companies to their knees."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments