The Hindu : International : $10-million smoking damages upheld

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 23, 2005

International

International

$10-million smoking damages upheld

GLENDALE (U.S.): Diagnosed in 1997 with lung cancer and given just four months to live, Patricia Henley decided to spend her last days fighting the Philip Morris tobacco company so that others would know the truth about the dangers of smoking. Now, seven years after filing suit — and with her cancer in remission — the former singer can boast that she is one of the few people to go up against Big Tobacco — and win. The Supreme Court declined on Monday to consider reducing a $10.5-million judgment awarded to the Glendale resident. Hers is a landmark case: the first judgment against Philip Morris; the first anti-tobacco case in California to result in an award; and the first case in the United States in which punitive damages were upheld against a tobacco company. Ms. Henley (58), smoked Marlboros for 35 years. ``There was a sweetener that killed one rat, and they took it off the market,'' she said. ``But they continue to sell this product that is proven to kill people. Where does that make any sense?''

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