Three smokers in the United States have been awarded nearly $13m compensation in a ruling that could pave the way for much larger damages against the tobacco industry. A jury in Florida found the tobacco firms responsible for causing cancer and other illnesses in the class action. The same jury will now rule on damages to be paid to some 500,000 smokers in the state, which could cost tobacco companies as much as $300bn dollars and possible bankruptcy. However, the industry has already said that it intends to appeal the ruling.
