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B & W Coughs Up First Check 

But the Florida Supreme Court, which has ruled against the industry in several important cases, reinstated the verdict in November. Carter's award was finally freed up after the court rejected a move by Brown & Williamson to have it held in escrow while the company asks the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case. John Finley, a lawyer for the cigarette maker, said it will argue that Carter's claim was pre-empted by the federal law that requires a printed warning on cigarette packages.

"We'd advise Carter not to spend the money," said Mark Smith, a Brown & Williamson spokesman. . .

Enemies of Big Tobacco hope the award will help further dispel what had been the industry's aura of courtroom invincibility.

"These cases should be treated just like any other case," said Richard A. Daynard, a Northeastern University School of Law professor and longtime anti-tobacco advocate.

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