In return, they have sought protection from smoking-related lawsuits.

In addition, industry representatives continue to insist that punitive damages in smoking-related lawsuits be barred.

Still, tobacco company executives remained concerned about smoking-related lawsuits brought by states, which they consider the most difficult and costly cases pending against them.

The judgment is by far the largest ever reached in a smoking-related lawsuit.

A1 Hundreds of smoking-related lawsuits will probably continue to cast a cloud over both businesses.

In exchange, the industry would receive protections from some smoking-related lawsuits and punitive damages.

In the wave of smoking-related lawsuits filed by states in recent years, Minnesota can claim two distinctions.

Among other stocks that did well were tobacco issues, which rose after the companies agreed to pay $11.3 billion to settle a smoking-related lawsuit in Florida.

There are more than 500 smoking-related lawsuits pending against Philip Morris.

The 864 documents at issue are part of a smoking-related lawsuit filed by the State of Minnesota against tobacco producers.