21.   Santa Clara County, Calif., sued the tobacco industry a year before the state of California did to cover its cost of treating indigent sick smokers.

22.   Several states are grappling with the issue of divesting tobacco shares, especially those whose attorneys general are suing the industry to recover costs spent treating sick smokers.

23.   Sick smokers, some of whom have followed the case every day from the courtroom pews, were optimistic about the outcome.

24.   Settlements with states that sued to recover money spent treating sick smokers would be superseded by the national agreement if it becomes law.

25.   Since last summer, three states have settled lawsuits against the tobacco industry to recoup medical costs of treating sick smokers.

26.   State attorneys general also are pushing the plan so they can get funds to help defray the cost of caring for sick smokers.

27.   State attorneys general who negotiated the landmark tobacco settlement are considering divvying up the settlement money based on total expenditures for treating sick smokers in each state.

28.   State attorneys general are also pushing to make the settlement into law so they can collect funds to help offset the costs of treating sick smokers.

29.   The companies face several high-profile trials, mainly suits filed by attorneys general seeking to recover billions of dollars spent treating sick smokers.

30.   The decision is a boost to the states suing the industry to recoup medical expenses for treating sick smokers.