Tobacco Deal May Help Smokers Kick The Habit

Up to $600 in smoking cessation aids, some free medical tests for tobacco-caused diseases and cheaper medicines could be benefits for U.S. smokers under one ambitious plan for a multibillion-dollar tobacco settlement.

Under the plan being pushed by private attorneys, smoker-benefit programs altogether would get as much money as the industry would be forced to pay out in legal damages - estimated at up to $4 billion a year - says a draft obtained by The Associated Press.

Tobacco talks resume Monday in Washington, when negotiators are expected to begin bargaining over money.