A RANGE of nicotine products aimed at people seeking a “safer” alternative to cigarettes are to be developed by an international tobacco group.

CIGARETTE makers lied and tried to confuse the public about the dangers of smoking for 50 years, the US government said as its $280 billion case against the industry went to trial in Washington.

British American Tobacco PLC declined to comment on reports it has held talks with Swedish Match AB about bidding jointly for Ente Tabacchi Italiano, the state-owned tobacco group being sold under the Italian government's £12.5bn privatisation programme.