NO TO PRAYERS, YES TO SMOKERS TOBACCO COMPANIES FACE SUITS.(Main)

Byline: Ruth Marcus Washington Post

The Supreme Court on Wednesday cleared the way for lawsuits accusing tobacco companies of deceiving the public about the health hazards of smoking. The court ruled that the federal law requiring cigarette warning labels does not absolutely shield manufacturers from being sued.

Lawyers for the family of a New Jersey woman who died of lung cancer, joined by anti- smoking activists, hailed the 7-2 decision as a significant advance in their effort to hold tobacco companies liable for the harms caused by their products.

"This is a major victory for all those who want to hold cigarette companies accountable," said Harvard Law School Prof. Laurence H. Tribe, who argued the case on behalf of the …