Tobacco meeting

US cigarette makers and industry opponents resumed settlement negotiations in Dallas this weekend, as a jury in a key lawsuit is about to consider its verdict.

The anti-tobacco forces met in Chicago on Friday to galvanise support among their most divisive members: the public health interest groups. At the same time, the Florida court case that may play a large role in the settlement talks heads for the jury.

The public health groups are expected to come out of their meeting with an agreeing to offer some form of limited immunity to the industry- a demand of cigarette makers.