February 17, 1998 - Jurors in Minnesota's tobacco trial watched a controversial video-taped deposition today. In it the former research director for Phillip Morris refuses to answer questions about the company's smoking and health research. Some attorneys worry the jury will think the former industry insider has something to hide. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
February 12, 1998 - In Minnesota's tobacco trial, the state today began building its case that smokers increase health care costs. The state and Blue Cross Blue Shield are seeking nearly 2-billion dollars to cover the cost of treating smoking-related illnesses over the past two decades. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.. Cancer expert Jon Samet testified today that smoking causes more than a dozen diseases, and those diseases result in higher health care costs. The Johns Hopkins epidemiologist said according to criteria established by the Surge
February 11, 1998 - A spokesman for the tobacco industry's trade association today detailed the industry's campaigns to prevent young people from smoking. But Walker Merryman acknowleged the industry also lobbied to kill bills at the Minnesota legislature designed to regulate the cigarette industry. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
February 10, 1998 - A court-appointed official today recommended the judge in Minnesota's tobacco trial allow more than 200,000 internal tobacco industry documents to remain secret. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
February 9, 1998 - In Minnesota's tobacco trial, the state has revealed more confidential tobacco company documents it says indicate the industry markets its products to young people and misled the public about the health risks of smoking. The release of the formerly-secret documents comes as the industry is asking a judge to make more than 33 million internal documents public. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
February 9, 1998 - Minnesota's tobacco trial enters its third week today, with more questioning of a spokesman for the tobacco industry's trade association. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
February 4, 1998 - The second witness in Minnesota's tobacco trial testified today some cigarettes sold in the U.S. were made from genetically-altered tobacco plants with higher nicotine levels. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports today's testimony offered more evidence about what's really in cigarettes.
February 3, 1998 - The second witness in Minnesota's tobacco trial today said cigarette companies have long known they're in the business of delivering nicotine, not tobacco. The state and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota allege the tobacco industry manipulated nicotine content to make cigarettes more addictive. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
January 28, 1998 - The first witness in Minnesota's tobacco trial says nicotine is an addictive drug, and a cigarette is the most efficient way to deliver nicotine to smokers. Doctor Richard Hurt's testimony is key to the state's contention that tobacco companies manipulated nicotine content to make cigarettes more addictive, and suppressed information about the health risks of smoking. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
January 27, 1998 - Tobacco companies say smokers won't buy safer cigarettes. Attorneys representing tobacco companies today denied claims they've made cigarettes more addictive, and say they've supported research into the health risks of smoking. Opening statements in Minnesota's case against the tobacco industry wrapped up today. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.