LITTETT'S CONCESSION MAY NOT BE ALL NOBLE

The decision last week by Liggett Group, the nation's smallest cigarette company, came as quite a bombshell, mostly to other tobacco companies who fear the worst if Liggett follows through on its plans to turn over thousands of confidential industry documents to a judge.

The Liggett decision has been generally regarded as a legal milestone for the 22 states that had sued the tobacco companies in an effort to get the cigarette manufacturers to admit tobacco products are addictive and contribute to cancer and other illnesses.

But Liggett's real motive may be far less noble. It has been losing business and appears to be seeking a buyout by another company. The agreement to produce the incriminating documents doesn't apply to industry giant Philip Morris, which might tender a takeover offer just to keep control of the material.