State Walks Out of Tobacco Talks

Accusing the tobacco industry of stalling, Massachusetts has pulled out of negotiations between nine states and cigarette makers trying to reach an out-of-court national tobacco settlement. Atty. Gen. Scott Harshbarger announced he would focus all attention on a lawsuit filed in state court. The state is seeking billions of dollars to reimburse Medicare expenditures spent on treating smoking-related diseases. Harshbarger accused cigarette makers of backpedaling on earlier commitments to fund efforts to curb teenage smoking and reduce advertising and promotions.