April 6, 1998 - (For Monday M.E. 4/6) *REVISED* Tobacco attorneys hope the U-S supreme court will block the release of nearly 40-thousand secret industry documents today (Monday). The tobacco industry will have to release those files to the state by 4 pm unless the high court intervenes. The state of minnesota and blue cross blue shield want the files for use in the state's lawsuit against the tobacco industry. Minnesota public radio's elizabeth stawicki reports: The tobacco companies had asked Justice Scalia to delay indefinately an order they turn over the secret files. Scalia then turned the matter over to the full court. those files are expected to include industry research relating to smoking and health, underage smokers, and tobacco companies' pr
April 3, 1998 - State attorneys in Minnesota's tobacco trial showed industry memos that suggest companies knew low-tar cigarettes could be as dangerous as full-flavored cigarettes but never told the public. Attorneys introduced the memos during cross-examination of defense witness--David Townsend. Townsend is vice president of product development at the nation's second largest cigarette maker--R-J Reynolds. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: A 1990 RJR memo said low-tar cigarettes aren't what they claim to be; and advertising ultra low-tar is misleading. It said smokers tend to smoke until they reach their individual requirement for nicotine by inhaling low tar cigarettes more deeply or subconsciously blocking vents on filters with their fingers or mouth.
April 2, 1998 - An R-J Reynolds cigarette designer testified his company used freon (FREE'-on) to process tobacco without conducting long-term research on the chemical's effect on health. Freon is a toxic refrigerant that when burned can form the nerve gas, phosgene (FOZZ'-jeen). Freon was banned because it's also linked to destroying the ozone layer. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: Vice President David Townsend said Reynolds used freon in processing tobacco for 23 years--from 1970 to 1993. Townsend said his company used the chemical to expand tobacco for low-tar cigarettes. Expanded tobacco meant less leaf was needed to fill cigarettes. He said he was unaware if the company knew freon residue could harm smokers because reynolds never conducted long-term health studies. Another tobacco company apparently did.
April 1, 1998 - State's attorneys resume cross-examining a tobacco scientist today in Minnesota's tobacco trial. R-J Reynolds head of product development David Townsend testified yesterday his company added ammonia to cigarettes to improve flavor; the state claims the industry used ammonia to hook smokers by giving cigarettes a stronger nicotine kick. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: Townsend repeated a defense theme that tobacco companies add ammonia to cigarettes for a smoother, chocolate-like flavor. He said R-J Reynolds began adding ammonia to its camel filters in 1974 to gain market share from highly successful Marlboro manufactured by Philip Morris. State's attorneys acknowlege ammonia d
March 27, 1998 - Both sides in Minnesota's tobacco trial claimed a University of Minnesota history professor boosted THEIR case. Defense witness Historian Hy Berman repeated a tobacco company theme that Minnesotans have long known about the health risks of smoking. But Berman also supported evidence that showed the industry misled the public. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: At times it was hard to know just who Hy Berman was testifying for. The tobacco attorneys had hired him but when Berman stepped down from the witness stand he gave a thumbs up and a warm handshake to state's attorney Mike Ciresi. Even after court Berman refused to take sides:
March 26, 1998 - State's attorneys in Minnesota's tobacco trial are expected to begin cross-examining a historian who testified yesterday that Minnesotans have long known about the health risks of smoking. University of Minnesota history professor Hy Berman told jurors the public has known cigarettes were hazardous more than 100 years ago. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: The tobacco companies are trying to poke holes in the State's contention they lied, covered-up and deceived the public about the dangers of smoking. History professor Hy Berman told jurors Minnesotans have known smoking is hazardous to health for decades from their schoolbooks, teachers and press coverage. He said Minnesota school teachers have taught students about the h
March 24, 1998 - For an assessment of the first phase of the Minnesota tobacco trial, we called Hamline University law professor Joe Daly. He's been a frequent observer in the courtroom, and says he's been impressed with the way the state laid out its case.
March 20, 1998 - Tobacco attorneys are celebrating a state supreme court ruling that blocked the release of sensitive tobacco files. The justices issued a stay while they consider whether those files should remain sealed and out of the state's lawsuit against the tobacco industry. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: Tobacco company lawyers have fought hard to keep these 39-thousand documents under wraps because they say they are protected under attorney/client privilege. Philip Morris attorney Greg Little says the memos contain lawyer's views about the strengths and weaknesses of the case. And he says, divulging these files would seriously compromise tobacco's defense: (you don't want to turnover to your adversaries what you think about your strategy; how you plan on defending the case, how you plan on proce
March 19, 1998 - An economist told jurors in Minnesota's tobacco trial that tobacco companies conspired to prevent the development of a less-harmful cigarette because doing so would throw the industry into a dogfight of competition. The testimony boosts State and Blue Cross Blue Shield claims that tobacco companies broke anti-trust laws by supressing research into smoking and health. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: Economist Adam Jaffe told jurors the internal company documents show the tobacco companies have violated anti-trust laws by conspiring to restrict competition since 1953. Jaffe is a professor at Brandeis and has also served on the president's council of economic advisors. He told jurors tobacco companies underst
March 18, 1998 - Tobacco attorneys say they'll ask the Minnesota Supreme Court to review an order releasing nearly 40-thousand secret industry documents for the state's lawsuit against the tobacco companies. State's attorneys believe this cache of files details damaging conduct by the top levels of the tobacco industry. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 8175 | TIME: 1:46 | OUTCUE: "...SOQ --------------------------------------------------------- The appeals court said the tobacco companies failed to show good reasons why the documents should be kept confidential. So barring a review by the State Supreme Court, the industry will have to turn over these files by noon Thursday. This ruling is the latest setback for an industry that's fought hard to keep these files confidential. Tobacco companies claim these 39-thousand documents should be kept secret under attorney/client privile