Del Papa says states can't rely on Congress over tobacco issue

Nevada could get more than $894 million over the next 25 years under a 1997 proposed agreement between the attorneys general and the tobacco companies. But Congress and the Clinton Administration want to change the terms.

Del Papa met with her counterparts Tuesday in Durango, Colo., at the Conference of Western Attorneys General and National Association of Attorneys General. In a telephone call to her Carson City office, she said Washington, New York and California have been ordered by the courts to begin mediation with the tobacco companies.

There were preliminary discussions at the conference about the proposed 1997 agreement which includes bans on billboard advertising and promotion of tobacco products in movies and at sporting events.

The tentative settlement called for restrictions on lobbying by tobacco companies; dissolution of the Council for Tobacco Research; and further disclosure on the adverse health affects of smoking.

She said there are no concessions agreed upon to protect the companies from lawsuits.

"With 37 days left to go in Congress we are still hopeful for a national resolution," she said. "However, in the event that that does not happen, the states need to push forward to achieve their goals. As we have always said, the states expect to gain more on behalf of the important issue of public health through a negotiated settlement."

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