Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 18, 1995 TAG: 9502220033
SECTION: NATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
NEW ORLEANS - Tobacco companies lost a bid Friday to limit claims in a lawsuit alleging they knew that nicotine is addictive and manipulated it to keep people addicted to cigarettes.
U.S. District Judge Okla Jones II certified the lawsuit as a class action for tens of millions of smokers around the country. The lawsuit was filed by a smoker's widow and three smokers.
It now applies to anyone who has failed to quit despite a medical practitioner's warning, ``which is pretty much everybody,'' said John P. Coale, one of the lawyers who filed the lawsuit.
Anyone who ever had a doctor tell him or her to stop smoking now can share if damages are awarded.
- Associated Press
Opinion reversed on Confederate flag
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Confederate battle flag should remain atop the South Carolina Statehouse unless the Legislature takes it down, the new attorney general said Friday, reversing the opinion of his predecessor.
Attorney General Charlie Condon asked the state Supreme Court to either dismiss a lawsuit challenging the flag or allow him to prepare a new brief outlining the state's revamped position.
- Associated Press
by CNB