Philip Morris to Pay $8m in Smoker’s Death

NEW YORK ~ A Florida court has ordered US tobacco giant Philip Morris to pay US$8 million to the widow of a lung cancer victim, in a case that could set a precedent for 8,000 similar trials in the southern state.

The jury rejected Elian Hess’ demand for $130 million compensation, arguing that her husband Stuart Hess was partly responsible for his death since he smoked three packs a day of Benson & Hedges before he died at age 55 in 1997.

But after nine hours of deliberations the jury ordered the cigarette maker to pay $2 million in compensatory damages to Elaine Hess, $1 million to her son David and $5 million in punitive damages.

Mutations Linked to Cancer Survival Times

Scientists have identified two genetic mutations they believe are linked with the most common types of brain cancer and longer survival times, according to new research.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins and Duke universities discovered variations in the IDH1 and IDH2 genes that are associated with three-quarters of the most common types of cancer tumors, known as gliomas.

It is hoped the findings could open the way to more successful treatment of the disease.