Section B · Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, March 28, 2000
Nation/World
The only thing on campus more popular than Roy
Decision awards smoker punitive damages
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — A jury ordered the nation's two largest tobacco companies yesterday to pay $20 million in punitive damages to a dying ex-smoker who took up the habit after the surgeon general's warning began appearing on cigarette packs in the 1960s.
The Superior Court jury ordered Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds to pay $10 million each to Leslie Whitley and her husband.
The same jury awarded the couple
$1.7 million in compensatory damages last week after finding that the companies deceived the public about the dangers of smoking.
That verdict was the first time the industry lost to a smoker who took up the habit after 1969, when tobacco companies began putting government-required health warnings on cigarette packs.
Around the country, juries have awarded damages to individual smokers only five other times. But three of those verdicts were overturned and the two others still are
under appeal. The industry has yet to
pav anything in any of those cases.
Whitley, 40, said she started smoking in 1972 at age 13. She smoked Philip Morris' Marlboros and Reynolds' Camels until 1988, when she quit shortly before doctors diagnosed small-cell lung cancer. Doctors said she probably would die this year.
The Whiteleys had asked for $115 million in punitive damages, which they said represented one percent of the companies' combined net worth. Their lawyer said cigarette makers remained unrepentant for the harm
they caused.
Phillip Morris lawyer William Ohlemeyer contended that punitive damages were improper because the companies had made profound changes in the way they did business. He and other company lawyers have pointed to the $206 billion settlement reached in 1998 by cigarette makers and 46 states suing over health costs.
He said the companies would appeal if the verdict was upheld.
The tobacco companies argued that Whiteley harmed herself by her admitted use of marijuana, by smoking during pregnancy and by disregarding warnings on cigarette packages.
"Mrs. Whiteley never smoked a pack of cigarettes that didn't have a health warning on it that was written by the surgeon general." Ohlemeyer said.
But after reviewing industry documents, jurors found that the companies designed cigarettes negligently, then made false or misleading statements to the public and concealed information about the dangers of smoking.
Russia, U.S. want new president to make himself, policies known
The Associated Press
MOSCOW — Vladimir Putin's election as president was hailed yesterday as the start of a new age in Russia, even though he has yet to spell out how he will handle the daunting challenge of restoring political order and invigorating the ailing economy.
Putin managed to avoid being forced into a runoff vote against Communist candidate Gennady Zyuganov, but his victory in Sunday's election was less than the huge win he had sought. Putin and his supporters had hoped for a stronger mandate for tackling Russia's problems.
With 96 percent of the vote counted in Sunday's presidential election, Putin led with 53 percent. Zyuganov was second with 29 percent, and liberal Grigory Yavlinsky was third with 6 percent. The other eight candidates lagged far behind.
For Putin — little known despite his nearly three months as the country's caretaker leader — some of the first tasks as Russia's second democratically elected president will be to choose a prime minister, come up with specific proposals to revive the economy, and clear corruption out of the government.
Acknowledging the scale of the problems facing him, Putin said early yesterday that he would not make any promises of quick improvements.
"The level of expectations is very high-
"...People are tired and struggling, and they're hoping for things to get better, but miracles don't happen."
Vladimir Putin Russian President
people are tired and struggling, and they're hoping for things to get better, but miracles don't happen," he told a news conference.
Some Russian reformers and Western officials and businessmen have praised Putin as a pragmatic reformer who will restore stability in Russia and improve people's lives by making reforms work.
But others, particularly liberals, fear Putin may trample Russia's fragile democracy and restore the iron control the secret police enforced during the Soviet era.
Putin insists he is a democrat, but he has been vague about his plans beyond stressing the need for strong government.
Although the Clinton administration has expressed uncertainty over how vigorously Putin will pursue democratic change, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said that his words had the right tone.
"Certainly, he uses all the right vocabulary when he talks about having the support of the people," Albright said.
Brockovich case continues
The Associated Press
KETTLEMAN HILLS, Calif. — In the movie *Erin Brockovich*, moviemakers see how a brass young legal secretary forced Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to pay a $333 million settlement for poisoning the water in a small California desert town.
But the movie's story of environmental villainy is only the beginning of the legal and public relations nightmare Brockovich has created for the utility company.
A bigger, broader lawsuit is headed to trial in November against San Francisco-based PG&E and one of its main suppliers.
About 1,500 employees, their families, other residents and farmers who lived or worked near three PG&E gas-compressor plants contend their water supplies also were contaminated with harmful levels of cancer-causing chromium 6 from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Brockovich is trying to find every person who may have been exposed. Being portrayed on screen by Julia Roberts hasn't hurt. In the movie's first week, 40 to 50 potential plaintiffs called.
PG&E has said little about the accuracy of the movie or its effect on the litigation.
"I will say this: I do believe that when the case is brought to trial, we will mount a very spirited and vigorous defense," said representative Greg Pruett.
Brockovich, a Lawrence native, investigated reports about blood problems in Hinkley, near the Arizona state line, and began a quest that lasted four years.
Iran holds key to lower oil prices
The Associated Press
U. S. gas stations released Saturday.
VIENNA, Austria — OPEC oil ministers failed to reach agreement yesterday on how much crude oil to add to global supplies, with Iran seen as the chief obstacle to a consensus that could provide some price relief to consumers. The ministers are to resume discussions today.
For motorists and other consumers of refined products such as gasoline, a lot hinges on efforts by Saudi Arabia, OPEC's No. 1 producer.
American motorists now pay an average of $1.59 per gallon for unleaded gasoline, an increase of nearly 60 cents since prices bottomed out at 99.8 cents per gallon in February 1999, according to a Lundberg Survey of 10,000
Industry analysts warn of possible shortages and $2-a gallon gas during the peak driving season this summer if OPEC fails to increase production significantly.
Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan sought yesterday to minimize fears raised by some U.S. lawmakers that a recent spike in fuel prices could have a negative effect on economy.
"Currently, we do not as yet — and emphasize as yet — see any significant indication that crude oil price increases are in the process of embedding themselves in other areas of the economy and inflating the general price structure," he said.
HERE, KITTIE KITTIE...
CAMPUSVIBE CALLED THE CAT AND KITTIE ANSWERED!
CampusVibe is debuting Kittie's live concert March 22 at 8:00pm (EST)
Watch Kittie unleash their fierce brand of modern metal! CampusVibe.com was fortunate enough to catch this foursome on their first tour with Slipknot.
CollegeLife - Full On!
Their single "Brackish" is on radio everywhere and they're scheduled to tour with this year's OzzFest. Visit Kittie on the internet at: www.Kittie.net
WWW.CAMPUSVIBE.COM
Train in Atlanta!
The College Marketing Manager program is designed to increase Coca-Cola's presence and expand on existing relationships and partnerships. The CMM will receive basic orientation and training on how to implement and develop marketing programs as well as basic selling techniques for the world's most recognized trademark, Coca-Cola. This internship is a part-time, paid opportunity with the possibility of permanent employment.
Campus Marketing Manager
CMM qualifications include:
Full-time student with a minimum GPA of 2.75
In-depth knowledge of campus activities and organizations
Time management skills
Communication skills
Strong leadership ability
Reliable transportation
Journalism, Communication or Business
majors preferred but not required
Time Commitment = 15 hours / day
Time Commitment = 15 hours/week
Send resumes to:
Kathy Williams
9000 Marshall Drive
Lenexa, KS 66215
kathwilliams@na.cokecce.com
/
Deadline: Resume must be received by April 1, 2000
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