Philip Morris ordered to pay $150m in damages to estate of ex-smoker

Philip Morris Cos Inc has been ordered by a US jury here to pay just over $168,500 (€192,110) in compensatory and $150m (€171m) in punitive damages to Dr. Richard Schwarz for the death of his wife, Michelle.

In a statement, Philip Morris said it will appeal the jury's decision.

The plaintiff, a medical doctor who quit smoking more than 30 years ago, contended that Michelle was addicted to smoking and switched from Benson & Hedges cigarettes to Merit, a Philip Morris product, in the late 1970s because the company marketed them as "safer".

Philip Morris said the ruling is inconsistent with the law and with the facts of the case.

In addition, the company will argue the verdict was the result of the misconduct and judicial error of the plaintiff's attorney.

"In short, the rules weren't followed and Philip Morris did not get a fair trial," said William Ohlemeyer, the company's vice president and associate general counsel.

As to the facts of the case, the company said Michelle Schwarz was fully aware of the risks of smoking when she began smoking as an 18-year-old nursing student.

"She chose to accept those risks by continuing to smoke; and, by law, the jury should have found her solely responsible for her actions," Ohlemeyer said.

"Philip Morris did not cause Mrs Schwarz to begin smoking, and nothing the company said or did prevented her from quitting," he added.