Ashes to ashes Last rites for the tobacco industry?

The Department of Justice is suing the tobacco industry for $280 billion—a sum that has had many tobacco chiefs choking on their cheroots. John Caserta assesses the likely impact of the lawsuit

In recent years the tobacco manufacturers have escaped relatively unscathed from numerous jury verdicts across the country. But a heavyweight civil suit is looming, threatening to completely undermine the stability of the industry.

In late September, the United States Department of Justice began its prosecution of a number of tobacco firms under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (Rico) Act. Altria, its subsidiary Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds, Lorillard Tobacco, Brown & Williamson