1.   But a smaller, hard-line coalition led by Downey has taken the position that cigarette companies should not be afforded lawsuit protections.

2.   But tobacco industry officials insist on specific lawsuit protections.

3.   But without getting federal lawsuit protection, legal claims could drive some producers into bankruptcy quicker than could falling sales of more expensive cigarettes.

4.   Lawsuit protection was among the needs NFIB members expressed in surveys.