CIGARETTE COMPANIES will pay $206 billion to 46 states in a landmark settlement of a lawsuit brought by states' attorneys general, who charged the companies with minimizing to the public the harmful health effects of smoking. Four other states previously settled similar suits with the companies for a total of $41 billion. The money, which some companies said would be raised by increasing the price of their products, is to be used for antismoking ads and programs. The settlement restricts cigarette promotions, including a ban on billboards and the use of cartoon figures in ads.
ent discrimination attorney. Safeway officials said they have not seen the complaint and could not comment..
