Tobacco.org

• Tobacco trial enters second phase today 

In the second phase of a marathon trial against Big Tobacco, a jury will be asked to decide which quit-smoking programs should be provided by cigarette makers for 1.5 million current and former Louisiana smokers.

The phase that begins today, part of a long-running class-action suit against the tobacco industry, will pit smokers' attorneys pushing for extensive, statewide smoking-cessation programs against industry lawyers who contend that adequate programs already are in place.

On July 25, 2003, the same jury ruled that tobacco companies should finance cessation programs, but rejected the plaintiffs' call for medical monitoring for smokers and ex-smokers.

The jury found that tobacco companies conspired to distort the public's knowledge about smoking and health and improperly marketed cigarettes to minors.

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