A five-year legal battle against Japan Tobacco by two former smokers and a widow has ended with damages demands thrown out, but a court for the first time clearly acknowledged the health risks of cigarettes.
"We were able to win a progressive ruling," plaintiff Masanobu Mizuno, 68, said. "I am deeply convinced the fight was worth it."
The Yokohama District Court ruled Jan. 20 there is a link between smoking and lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses. It also said smoking may be addictive.