NEW YORK (Reuters) - A decision by a Florida jury to impose punitive damages of $23.6 billion against RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company on Friday is likely to be rejected on appeal or the award reduced substantially, lawyers with expertise in jury awards said on Sunday.
The award, which the cigarette maker has said it will contest, likely falls outside the boundaries for punitive damages that the U.S. Supreme Court has laid down in a series of cases, the lawyers told Reuters.
http://news.yahoo.com/rj-reynolds-23...4--sector.html
Seriously? 23 Billion! (with a B)?! That's ridiculous. I am no fan of tobacco companies, but I also have little sympathy for people who smoke and then (surprise) become addicted or ill from using the product. It has been known for many years that cigarettes are addictive and bad for your health. You smoke, you assume the risk.