41.   That explains why LeBow pursued a wildcat settlement with many states suing the industry and is trying to secure an injunction against plaintiffs pursuing their cases against Brooke.

42.   Texas sued the industry seeking to recover costs for smoking-related illnesses.

43.   Texas was one of the first states to sue the industry and negotiate a settlement.

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

45.   The driving force was a group of state attorneys general who have sued the industry to recoup Medicaid costs for smoking-related illnesses.

46.   The court will determine whether, for the first time, the tobacco industry can be sued for addicting massive numbers of smokers to cigarettes.

47.   The money would be distributed to private individuals currently suing the industry for damages and to states suing to recoup Medicaid costs associated with sick smokers.

48.   The state attorneys general suing the industry met yesterday in Chicago to discuss how much money they would seek in efforts to settle with the tobacco companies.

49.   The talks have involved industry negotiators, representatives of state attorneys general, antismoking advocates and lawyers representing smokers suing the industry.

50.   The talks, involving tobacco company representatives, plaintiff lawyers, public health advocates and attorneys general suing the industry, reconvened Monday in Dallas.