Until not too long ago, tobacco stocks have ranked among the highest-yielding shares. Dividend yields of 5% or more at relatively moderate valuations used to be common, making the stocks very attractive for conservative investors.

Ireland's parliament on Tuesday became the second in the world to pass legislation requiring cigarettes to be sold in plain packets, despite threats of legal action by tobacco companies opposed to the move. Japan Tobacco International and Imperial Tobacco Group have announced they would take legal action against the move to ban the colourful logos used to sell tobacco brands but the government has said it plans to proceed.

A leading Irish charity has announced it will no longer accept any corporate donations from a top law firm which is acting for tobacco giant Japan Tobacco in threatened court action against the State to block plain cigarette packs. The Irish Cancer Society says it has made a "difficult decision" to no longer accept donations from Arthur Cox law firm.

NBC News has learned that "three major U.S. tobacco companies including R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Lorillard Inc., and Altria Group's Philip Morris USA will pay $100 million to settle hundreds of federal lawsuits over smoking." The settlement will cover more than 400 lawsuits filed in federal court in Florida by smokers or their families.

Legalization of marijuana in the District of Columbia was scheduled to go ahead early today despite a warning from congressional officials that the new standards are unlawful, Mayor Muriel Bowser said. She noted that voters in the U.S. capital last year overwhelmingly approved Initiative 71, which lets the heavily Democratic city join Washington state, Alaska and Colorado in making marijuana legal for recreational use.

Three major U.S. tobacco companies including R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co, Lorillard Inc and Altria Group's Philip Morris USA will pay $100 million to settle hundreds of federal lawsuits over smoking, according to an announcement from plaintiffs' lawyers on Wednesday. The agreement will cover more than 400 lawsuits filed in federal court in Florida by smokers or their families, according to the announcement.

WASHINGTON Tobacco companies battle the Obama administration on Monday, as a key court considers what they can be compelled to say about their cigarettes. In a long-running conflict pitting free speech against public health, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

Niconovum USA Inc. and other subsidiaries of Reynolds American Inc., including R. J. Reynolds Vapor Co., have entered into agreements with PinneyAssociates and its affiliate, JSR LLC, on products, regulations and policies related to smoking cessation and harm minimization. Niconovum USA and Niconovum AB market nicotine replacement therapy products in the United States and Sweden, respectively, under the Zonnic brand; R.J. Reynolds Vapor makes and markets Vuse electronic cigarettes.