In Court, Philip Morris Uses Civil-Rights Smokescreen

Widow scores first blood in potentially groundbreaking trial

(NEWSER) - Addiction to cigarettes caused chain smoker Stuart Hess’ death from lung cancer, a Florida jury ruled yesterday, paving the way for his widow to receive damages from Phillip Morris. The case is the first of 8,000 to spin out of a landmark 1994 class-action suit. That case's $145 billion award was overturned in 2006, and though the Hess verdict won’t directly affect the other 7,999 plaintiffs, it is being closely watched, the Miami Herald reports. More»

They studied polonium and its link to cancer in the 1960s

(NEWSER) - Tobacco companies were well aware that their products contained radiation—and they discovered this decades ago, UCLA researchers studying 27 historical documents have found. The firms learned of the presence of polonium-210 in cigarettes in 1959, and they examined the radioactive material's effects during the 1960s, documents show. They found that it caused “cancerous growths” in users’ lungs, and figured out just how much radiation a typical smoker would inhale, but the companies didn’t warn the public. Using the original calculations, the researchers determined that the radiation would lead to the deaths of 138 of every 1,000 smokers over 25 years, ABC News reports. More»

Landmark Missouri suit fails

(NEWSER) - It was a "case of David versus Goliath," as hospitals took on tobacco companies in Missouri, a hospital lawyer says—and Goliath won. A jury decided yesterday that tobacco companies aren't liable for money spent on patients with tobacco-related illnesses who can't pay their bills, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch . The $455 million lawsuit, filed on behalf of dozens of hospitals who treat many destitute, non-paying patients, had taken 13 years to come to trial. More»

Firms seek to quash graphic NYC ads

(NEWSER) - Images of cancerous lungs, rotting teeth, and brain damage caused by smoking are "unappetizing," complain lawyers for tobacco companies suing New York City. RJ Reynolds, Philip Morris, and Lorillard are taking the city to court over anti-smoking ads that stores selling cigarettes are now legally required to post near the cash register, the New York Daily News reports. More»

(NEWSER) - Australians may be coughing up $20 for a pack of cigarettes if officials approve a new anti-smoking plan, the Age reports. The proposal, designed to cut Aussie smoking by a third, would ban all tobacco sponsorship and online sales, devote 95% of cigarette packaging to graphic health warnings, and tax packs—currently at $13.50—up to $16.35, and then $20.15. More»