I would like to know if anyone has ever successfully sued a cigarette
maker for liablility (in regard to lung cancer.)

I am not a smoker myself, but I am curious.  NOT looking to start a
debate.  I have heard talk about such cases but I wonder if they ever go
anywhere, legally.

L. E. de Rivaud

I am not sure about "ever" but I know the tobacco companies have been very
careful to take every case to the mat. By this I mean they DO NOT settle out
of court and they try to spend the plaintiff under the table. If they have
lost it is not often or big since nobody I have asked has ever heard of a
loss. The tobacco companies so fear the precedent this would set they fight
each case as if it were life & death. This is probably wise.

This may change in light if the recent evidence sufacing about the additives
they put in the tobacco. This will be easier to sue for since the additivies  
were  
   a) Not disclosed to the public (where as smoker know tobacco is bad)
   b) Some really {*filter*} stuff.

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As a former (yea!) mega-smoker, this topic is of great interest to me.
I heard a few months ago that there was a law firm preparing a (perhaps
class action?) suit against the tobacco companies.  It piqued my
interest, so I rang up an old lawyer friend of mine who did a little
digging around, and indeed it is true -- there is a great deal of
activity taking place.  I've been dragging my feet contacting the firm
but this recent thread got me moving.  I spoke with them this morning,
and they will be mailing me a questionnaire and medical release forms
with which to determine if I'm an appropriate candidate for this suit.

I asked about putting the firm's name and address in a posting to the
newsgroup, so others could learn about the suit, but, as of now, they
are reluctant for me to do this -- they do not wish to be viewed as
soliciting clients (yes, there are ethical attorneys in this world!).

I will report to the group from time to time, especially if anything
*interesting* happens, and will, of course, announce anything major
that happens. I think the way these things work is this:  if it becomes
a class action suit, then it is not only ethical but absolutely essential
that the suit be publicly announced in order for as many affected persons
as possible  to come forward (e.g., the {*filter*} implant suit).

Have a great weekend everyone!

Alice Whitfield
Cancer Commando