Lawyers for major US tobacco companies and the Department of Justice have agreed on details of court-ordered advertisements admitting the companies deceived the public on the dangers of smoking, various media reported.

US District Court Judge Gladys Kessler, who in 2006 ruled tobacco companies deceived the public, and in 2012 finalised wording for "corrective statements" admitting the deception, must approve the agreement. According to a statement by six public health organisations lauding the pact, negotiators submitted mock-ups for television, newspaper ads, cigarette pack onserts and statements to be placed on tobacco company websites. The agreement did not cover statements to be posted at retail points of sale, which tobacco companies continue to contest, the statement said.