“Tobacco companies to settle smoking lawsuits for $100 million,” 25 Feb 2015

Three major U.S. tobacco companies including R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard, and Altria's Philip Morris USA will pay $100 million to settle hundreds of federal lawsuits over smoking…The agreement will cover more than 400 lawsuits filed in federal court in Florida by smokers or their families…It is the first major agreement reached by the three companies to resolve a chunk of so-called Engle cases, named after a former class action brought by Florida residents over injuries or deaths they said were caused by tobacco-related medical conditions…[A]ssociate general counsel for Altria Client Services, said the agreement was in the company's best interests and that it intended to vigorously defend unsettled Engle cases, including those in state court. R.J. Reynolds Assistant General Counsel…said the agreement presented a unique opportunity for the company…to put the federal litigation behind it. Lorillard was not immediately available for comment…[Also refers to Liggett Group (part of Vector Group)]