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

22.   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.

23.   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.

24.   Some of the states are seeking billions of dollars in compensation for money spent treating smokers.

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

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

27.   The industry wants Congress to approve the accord to reduce its risk of costly lawsuits, and states want tobacco settlement money to treat sick smokers.

28.   The lawsuit seeks reimbursement for money paid to treat sick smokers.

29.   The industry wants to reduce its risk of costly lawsuits, and states want tobacco settlement money to treat sick smokers.

30.   The lawsuits sought reimbursement for Medicaid money spent treating sick smokers.