Similarly, I think they should sign an electronic statement stating they understand the harmful effects of smoking, they agree to the terms of use, etc. -- similar to signing an electronic credit card statement every time you buy something.

This product is a two edge sword. It has been proved that it can and probably will cause cancer in the mouth area after prolonged use. It is marked on the canister as such yet it is allowed to be sold to the public. On the other side of this sword is the fact the end user knows this. Yet with this knowledge it is continuing to be used. The bottom line is the profits that are made from selling this product. far out weigh any monetary judgments that might have to be paid out. I guess the 42 year old father thought that his chewing habit was more important to him than his family.

Frankly I don't understand why there is no uproar about alcohol. I know of MANY more problems with that than I do cigarettes.

Frankly I don't understand why there is no uproar about alcohol.

Look up "prohibition" sometime.

As an ex tobacco addict I can speak to the lack of "choice" involved here. Everyone has differing brain chemistry, with some people being more prone to addiction than others. Tobacco is likely the most addictive substance out there, short of black tar heroin, and is extremely poisonous. Sympathy goes to the victims here not the drug dealers (tobacco companies).

Maybe she should sue this parents for letting him rub snuff when he was 13, she wants money for nothing.

Except for that he started chewing when he was 13. At 13 it is unlikely that he was aware of the danger, but that didn't make it any less addictive. As his wife did not make a statement, we don't really know if he tried to quit.

I'm with Fuzzy- he started at 13yrs old, and it's been shown that the younger an addict was when starting, the harder it is to quit.

I think that the person(s) that made this purchase for him for the five years before he was legal should also shoulder part of this $5 million dollar settlement.

Hard to quit my back side; if he didn't put the stuff in his mouth he couldn't chew it. He was 42 when he died and only 13 for one year. He had a long time to pull his head out of a dark spot and just didn't want to do it. The jury that awarded this settlement is just as stupid as the dummy that was chewing it.

texasbob

Therein lies the problem with the intense addiction one can have with nicotine. I know it sounds very simple. Pick a date and quit, then don't look back. Patches. Inhalers. Gums. Lozenges. Prescription medication. Hypnotherapy I've even heard.

This "teen" was addicted long before he had the legal wherewithal to make the choice for himself. By then, well, he was hooked.

The younger a person starts using tobacco, the more intense their addiction seems to be.

If he wanted to stop as he knew he should he could have at any time during his 42 years of life, but he chose not to. He chose to take the easy path knowing full well what the consequences would most likely be. Addiction is just a sorry excuse for not doing what one fully knows it the right thing to do.

Those choices are hard, texasbob. We aren't talking what color to paint the wall.

Nicotine is HIGHLY addictive.

It is MORE addictive in younger brains.

The addiction grows with use.

It's addictive potential has been ranked up there with heroin. Oy.

Addiction *can be* an excuse- because in the end it comes down to the decisions we personally make for ourselves. Those decisions, however, do not stand alone but are built on a lifetime of prior decisions.

My stink is that he started at 13. He had five years to fully addict before even becoming an adult. Once an adult, he was hooked.

Also, smokeless tobacco brings itself off as (or used to) as a "safer alternative" to smoking tobacco. I think that's misleading.

So, do you smoke or chew? Or do you just have anger issues? If so, do you always foist your responsibilities onto someone else?

Even at 13, he had the ability to decide not chew, no one forced him to chew. A 42 year old would have well fallen into the age category, when the dangers of tobacco use were being taught to elementary children. He knew the dangers and chose to ignore them. Again, HIS problem.

I love Coke, but I don't drink more than one a day and try not not drink any. I know it is full of empty calories. Is it Coca-Cola's fault than I am tempted to drink Coke? Nope, I am the sole person responsible for what goes in my mouth!

I just have anger issues. I work in the industry and I know, first hand, all of the underhanded crap the tobacco industry has, and is, doing. If you know any of that stuff and you still think as you do, you have a real problem. You blame a thirteen year old? Unbelievable.

He may have been 13 when he started, but he continued well into adulthood. I was 13 once. so you were right? - as was everyone! I was able to make the choice not to smoke or chew, so did a lot of people. I also know a lot of people who started as teenagers, but quit as adults because of the dangers. It wasn't easy for any of them. But, they made the choice.

We must put up a statue to your maturity and foresightedness. We must hold everyone to the same standards as you.

Thank you! I would certainly hope that everyone has common sense.

You sound like a whining attorney who unsuccessfully sued the tobacco companies. Too Bad. No one opened that can and stuffed that crap into his mouth except him. What about automobiles? Use as directed and you may be killed or maimed as countless others have. Shall we sue the auto manufacturers? Tobacco is not going away and neither are the auto manufacturers so get off your high horse and get a life.

By the way, people don't grow their own smokeless tobacco because of convenience. Do you buy vegetables in the store? Why? Why don't you "just grow your own"?

I started when I was 13 beacause my all-star little league coach wanted to make us men. Well, I'm 43 now and have been trying to quit chewing Copenhagen for many years and cannot. I go through the same withdrawls that I see heroin addicts having.

I'm not gonna argue whether the lawsuit was frivolous, only that quitting chewing tobacco is nearly impossible once you are hooked.

I started in LL too and have been trying to quit for years sometimes for days once for 8 months but somehow the phenomenon of craving took over. Am I weak? Some or most of you would say yes, but those who understand addiction probably have a different point of view. This habit it gross and pisses my wife off and I'm sorry that I don't live up to Emma's standards. WWED?

I do not see myself as better than anyone else because I chose not to smoke or chew tobacco. Like I've said, I love Coke. I was drinking far too much of it and started to put on weight. Was it hard to quit drinking Coke? Yes, I got headaches from the caffeine withdrawal. But, I did stop drinking 4 or 5 a day. Not as addictive as tobacco, I completely agree.

I understand addictions and I understand how hard it can be to quit, but whether you start or not is a personal choice and whether you quit or not, is also a personal choice.

don't worry bout enma. it sounds like he/she has a problem with human nature in general. I know where you're coming from as many others probably do. and yo enma3, try looking up the word empathy. it's probably beyond your comprehension but I tend to be an optimist.

Maybe the widow should also name the parents in the lawsuit. They sanctioned the activity and provided the funding or at the very least are guilty of child endangerment and contributing to child stupidity.

"underhanded Crap" give me a break, every hear of McDonald's, Red-bull, any beer commercial, pro sports, Starbucks... If you're that big of a CHUMP and need a mommy state to protect your ass, I would suggest a life insurance policy is in order... and quick.

Put me up there with Emma. I have been quit for about 8 months and if I don't stay quit I suck at life. It is a choice and if you are not capable of making your own desicions then you suck at life. Yes, it is that simple. They should make the warning a little more clear for the speical people, "this will KILL you" would work although it wouldn't make a difference. My problem is still the jury...where do they find these people?

I didn't start smoking because of the cigarette ads. I started the way that most kids do, from other kids who's older siblings smoke. They think nothing of giving the younger ones a cigarette or two. I think the cigarette company just waste their money making ads. It's the same with any other drug, be it minithins, beer or the pain pills you keep in your medicine cabinet, kids are more likely to try stuff if all their friends are doing it. I know it sounds cliche, but think back to the stupid stuff you did in middle school.

The smokers have to be an idiot not to know the consequences. Oh wait, too many of the population of this country are idiots. Maybe they couldn't read the warnings.

The company should have resisted and appeal if they lost. This is a joke. Bet the family did nothing to stop the habit yet now have their hands out. Juries are idiots.

The juries are people just like you and me they typically have absolutely no conflict of interest of the matter at hand, hence them becoming jurors. So... You are blaming the general public for their stupidity to empathize for a family that lost their husband/father.. It's understandable from both point of views and there is no reason to bash people's opinions.

You also have to understand that when this 13 year old started, ya there were the warning labels, but nobody REALLY knew just how harmful it truly is to your body. You know that feeling when you're a teenager, like you're invincible? Sometimes people will never have a wakeup call to make them realize, "hey, this is actually really bad for me.." until it happens to you. Like this case.

He was only 13 for one year.

Then he was 14.

Then 15.

Then 16.

Then 17.

Then 18- the age that one can procure and use these products legally. From 13-18yrs old I think whatever adult that got these items for him should be sued AND prosecuted.

From 18 on... different story... yes, his personal choice was involved, but by then he was 4-5yrs addicted. Nicotine is a pretty strong addiction.

He died at 43, most laws didn't go into affect prohibiting sales of tobacco products to minors until recently. So he bought himself.

Hill's wife, Kelly, filed the lawsuit in 2005 after her husband died of cancer of the tongue, Ponvert said. Hill was 42 and had been chewing the company's spit tobacco products since he was 13, he said.

Okay so let's do this. If he was 42 in 2005, then it looks like he was born in '63. Started using in '76.

What needs to be found out are what the tobacco regulation laws were back in '76 thru '81.

Then go after the PEOPLE that encouraged it, exampled it, bought it for him, used it with him time after time after time again until he was hooked like a fish on a line.

Emma, comparing tobacco to soda is assinine. I would give anything to quit. I have tried and tried and tried. I have spent more on trying to quit than smoking itself. You are stupid to assume your "soda habit" is comparable to a drug addiction. I would love it if cigarettes were illegal, it would make it easier to quit. Yes, my dear, I know other drugs are illegal and people still do them, I however, do not see myself in back alleys looking for cigarettes...I did a lot of illegal drugs when I was young and dumb....I know the degrees of addiction, and I can tell you, cigarettes are harder than heroin or crack or meth...I have been addicted to all and have quit for over 15 years..but not these stupid cigarettes. I hate them with a passion and I wish they were illegal.

I wasn't comparing soda to tobacco, per se. I was making a point that what I eat, drink, smoke, chew or shoot in my veins, is MY choice. No one is making me or anyone else choose to do anything that is not good for you. My you have made a lot of bad choices. But I think you can agree they were your choices, no one forced you to make them? Did anyone force you to take crack? meth? heroin? how about smoking? Nope, didn't think so, you made the choice. I'm sorry for you that you made these bad choices, but they were your choices and your choices alone, no one else is responsible.

Obviously you missed the point. #1.You were comparing soda to cigarettes, #2. I NEVER said it wasn't my choice-My point is the government is allowing a product that kills EVERYDAY and will kill even those that DON'T use it. Nobody dies from second hand crack smoke. But they do from cigarette smoke. Why are they legal? That is my question and my point you twit.

BT,

Tobacco when used as directed kills. Many people can and do enjoy alcohol, without killing themselves with it. Your argument is thin.

Oops, accidentally hit the "like" button -my mouse slipped.

Where are these directions for tobacco use? I don't recall seeing any directions on the package telling one to "chew and repeat as needed".

I used to do accounting in a nursing home, there were several people in the nursing home at a young age (one was 38!) from alcohol abuse. Cirrhosis of the liver anyone? Just one of many diseases caused by alcohol, that kills. There were also several chain smokers in their 70's, 80's and 90's with no adverse health effects from the years of tobacco abuse. So no tobacco does not always kill, but yes, alcohol can also kill. Thins your argument a bit.

Yeah- there's no "warning" on booze that it causes cancer, emphysema and COPD though.

I agree that booze- when one is addicted is just as bad if not worse though.

Difference is that nicotine is *always* addictive, alcohol is not.

well based on your comment then in turn we should haul your parents into court and sue them for failing to teach you compassion for your fellow man.

That isn't a lack of compassion from Ack. If the tobacco company is liable for a person who started using UNDERAGE then so should be those who procured it for him.

My mother permitted me to smoke and supplied me with cigarettes when I was 12yrs old... I've quit, restarted, quit, restarted more times than I can count. I love my mom, but I curse her parenting skills.

Nicotine IS addictive...

As I stated above. He died at 43, most laws didn't go into affect prohibiting sales of tobacco products to minors until recently. I used to go in bars and buy smokes for my dad when I was about 8 or 9. No questions asked. So he bought himself.

I've gotta look up those laws.

Those laws withstanding, however, I'd find the company even MORE liable as it not only marketed to a young crowd but sold to them as well.

5 million -- lawyer gets 1/2, wife gets 1/2; however, out of the wife's 1/2 comes all the costs: filing fees, transcript fees , expert witness fees, trial fees, mileage, postage, copy fees, medical record fees and so on and so on. Wife comes up far short of her 1/2! In the meantime, this sets a precedence, and voila! another avenue for lawyers to make the big bucks.

wrong, wrong, way wrong........but hey it's enma, what else should I expect. look up some info on civil lawsuits. that is not how a monetary judgement/settlement is dispersed.

There are several ways it is dispersed. It is a contractual agreement with a variety of different dispersement methods. So, it could easily be 50/50 or not. What does it even matter how it was dispersed? Each way, you do the crime you do the time unless you live in America. Then you just get someone else to do the time for you and take all of their stuff.

How does this wife "win" when her husband is dead?

I'll add to Emma's cost breakdown- the medical costs associated with DYING FROM CANCER. Medical costs that SOMEONE has to pay- and if Tobacco man and his wife don't pay it, THE REST OF US WILL.

Wrong, wrong, wrong Scruples, that is exactly how a lawsuit divvies up--at least in Wisconsin (I worked at a law firm, I wrote the checks, I know).

Well Emma, in other states the lawyer gets 1/3...and the plaintiff gets the rest, and as stated above, the plaintiff pays all costs arising from suit out of their money...which means lawyers usually end up with more. Not that any of that matters to you, so go drink your 1 soda a day and choke on it you twit.

Why thank you Shannon, for your knowledgeable, insightful comments. You are so courteous. I am so glad you know the laws of every state in the Union, very impressive. It is so nice to read a post from someone with such impeccable knowledge and good manners, who doesn't resort to childish name-calling.

Oh, I suppose WRONG WRONG WRONG is courteous....I guess the rules you impose on others do not apply to you.

AMEN!

One time I went to a jewelry store to buy a I'm sorry gift for my wife. The Jeweler offered his watches by saying "How about a Timex" and I told him that's too cheap. He said "How about a Rolex" and I told him that's too expensive. The jeweler then stated "Why don't you give her a Gruen" and I told him "I did, but she still wants a watch".

In my opinion, any family that sues over the loved ones on personal choice, couldn't care less the loved one is dead. All they care about is how they can get rich off of it.

Yes! the real evil of it all! My only other comment is that 13 year olds can't make good decisions, nor can many of us grown ups. I've quit several times, but the rest of the world suffers from my @!$%# personality when I don't use tobacco, and so do I because nobody can stand my temper and such, especially me. There is two things clear here, I can't count and I'm going to die from something tobacco caused or not.

I don't share with losers who are not capable of making positive decisions related to their health. If you can't quit then you pay the price. I am sorry that you are pathetic but you need to find someone else to pamper you. You make you own choices and YOU live with them...except liberals that is.

Awesome, I sure am glad I quit. Then again, we don't weed them out anymore. We just give them more entitlements.

You're an idiot; most addictive drug in existance and if I die from having been addicted to it for lo those many years past I welcome all family to sue, sue, sue!

your compassion and empathy are overwhelming.............not.

I dig the compassion...we should go get a drink and have one of those lapses or whatever allows us to burn a cig. I mean, if it starts to become a problem again we will just sue someone.

CfromMI, I have to agree with you about the personal choice aspect of the whole thing. I, too, was a smoker. I smoked perhaps a pack and a half a day for about 16 yrs. I knew it was horrible for me, and every morning, I would wake up, wheezing in response to my body's intense craving for that sweet, sweet after coffee smoke. Even now, almost 2 years after I've been smoke free, I still think about those beautiful, blue packages of American Spirits, and think "aww just one.." However, I know the risks involved, and make the choice not to indulge.

That is what it boils down to: choice. The craving will always be there (at least for me), but being aware of the potential risks far outsrips my desire to smoke.