http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7898323.stm
A US jury has ordered tobacco giant Philip Morris to pay $8m (£5.6m) to the widow of a lifelong smoker who died of lung disease.
The jury in Florida decided in favour of Elaine Hess, whose husband Stuart died of lung cancer in 1997 at age 55. He had smoked for 40 years.
The ruling could blaze a legal trail for 8,000 similar cases in Florida.
Altria, the parent company of Philip Morris, called the case "profoundly flawed" and said it would appeal.
The court ordered Philip Morris to pay $3m in compensatory damages and $5m in punitive damages, although Mrs Hess had sought $130m (£91m).
Legal precedent
Alex Alvarez, an lawyers for Mrs Hess, said he felt vindicated by the award.
"She's a 110lb (50kg) elementary school teacher and she went up against Philip Morris, one of the most powerful companies in the world, and won," Mr Alvarez told Reuters news agency.
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