Philip Morris Wins Smoker Suit

A New Hampshire jury ruled in favor of tobacco giant Philip Morris USA in the case of a woman who blamed Marlboros for the lung cancer that killed her husband.

Philip Morris argued that Julien Longden of Manchester could have quit smoking, but chose not to do so. The company also said other factors could have caused the cancer. He died in 2000 and the suit was filed by his wife, Sheila Longden.

Attorney Charles Douglas argued that Julien Longden could not quit because he became addicted to nicotine when he started smoking at age 12 and that Philip Morris never told its customers about additives that made Marlboros more addictive.