11.   But they chose to fight in Texas after a proposed national settlement of all suits got hung up in Washington, where it needs congressional approval.

12.   By resolving the Florida case, tobacco companies no longer face a long trial and adverse publicity that could affect deliberations over the proposed national settlement.

13.   Cigarettes, thanks to changes required under a proposed national settlement of litigation.

14.   Cigarette smokers in Illinois have filed the first lawsuit seeking class-action status against the major tobacco companies since a national settlement proposal was hammered out last month.

15.   Coles said the city is reserving its right to contest whether the state as a whole is getting its fair share of the proposed national settlement.

16.   Congress has been reviewing the national settlement and plans to write legislation implementing it early next year.

17.   Doggett and other members of Congress want the national settlement to set specific benchmarks that the tobacco companies must meet to prove they are curbing smoking by minors.

18.   Florida itself would benefit from a national settlement.

19.   He is determined to see his case through, he added, and he will do all he can to block enactment of the national settlement.

20.   He referred to the prospect of other similar costs, including those from state lawsuits in addition to the proposed national settlement of tobacco litigation.