Lifelong smoker can sue tobacco firms

THE Supreme Court yesterday paved the way for a lifelong smoker to sue two tobacco companies for personal injuries caused by smoking.

The three-judge court yesterday dismissed an appeal brought by tobacco manufacturer Gallaher (Dublin) Ltd against a High Court decision, refusing to dismiss the smoker’s claim on the grounds that there was no reasonable cause of action.

Margaret Delahunty, aged 80, from Ballinahowen, Furbo, Galway, a lifelong smoker, has sued well-known tobacco manufacturers Player and Wills (Ireland) Ltd and Gallaher (Dublin) Ltd for personal injuries allegedly caused by cigarettes. She has also sued the Minister for Health and the Attorney General claiming failure on the part of the State to effectively regulate the sale of tobacco products.