The US proposed a compromise to block tobacco companies from suing under provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade package being negotiated by 12 countries, Reuters reported.

TPP members would be allowed to opt out of a TPP provision to protect foreign investors from harmful practises national governments,” Reuters said. By doing so, tobacco companies would be denied access to proposed trade tribunals. Critics of the free-trade deal have said the tribunals open the door to suits by international cigarette companies against national tobacco control measures.
Ministers from the dozen countries including Japan, Australia, Canada and Mexico are meeting in Atlanta, Georgia with the goal of completing TPP negotiations.