$50 Million Tobacco Verdict Stands

M. Brandon Smith

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The United States Supreme Court refused to review a $50 million damage award against Phillip Morris where a former 2-pack a day smoker died of cancer. The tobacco manufacture, which controls nearly half of the United States tobacco market, asked that the award be declared unconstitutionally excessive. The U.S. Supreme Court declined the request without further comment.

According to the AJC.Com:

Lawyers for Boeken's family had asked justices to consider "Philip Morris's immensely reprehensible, immensely profitable fraud scheme perpetuated for decades."

Philip Morris lawyer Andrew Frey told justices that the company did not conceal information about low-tar cigarettes. The company, which is part of Altria Group Inc., wanted the high court to use the case to clarify the formula for deciding punitive damages.

Read more about the $50 million dollar tobacco decision here