TOBACCO TRIAL JURORS DISMISSED

The jurors each received a certificate of thanks from the judge.
Attorneys in the case thanked them vigorously. One attorney gave them
gift boxes of smoked salmon. It was all part of being dismissed from
the state's trial against the tobacco industry, which ended with a
national settlement.

On Monday, King County Superior Court Judge George Finkle signed a
consent decree to settle Washington state's multibillion-dollar
lawsuit against Big Tobacco. The settlement includes 46 other states,
Washington D.C. and five territories.

The jurors had sat through weeks of excruciating and numbing testimony
but never will deliberate on any of it. As they were dismissed
yesterday, they expressed only some frustration at the trial coming to
a halt; mostly, they said they were proud to have been part of a
process that led to a settlement.

"I was disappointed somewhat. I would have enjoyed hearing the tobacco
side of the story. It would have been fascinating to be able to
discuss it," said Diann Barry, of Seattle.

The dismissal of the jury was the final step that puts the case to
rest. State Attorney General Christine Gregoire was teary-eyed
yesterday, embracing her colleagues and taking pats on the back.

On Friday, Gregoire, other attorneys general and tobacco-industry
lawyers agreed to settle lawsuits in 46 states and made another
announcement: The settlement is worth $206 billion. Of that,
Washington will receive about $4 billion over the next 25 years.

The national settlement sprang from Washington's suit against the
industry. The talks evolved into negotiations for dozens of other
states which had sued the industry. As it stands now, in the coming
days judges across the country will have to sign consent decrees that
officially will dismiss the cases.

Washington's suit had accused tobacco companies of conspiring to
violate antitrust and consumer-protection laws, hiding health
research, manipulating nicotine levels and marketing to children.
Washington was trying to recoup the costs of treating sick smokers
through Medicaid.

The settlement bans outdoor advertising, marketing to youths and
product placement in movies and TV shows. It places limits on
marketing, merchandising and lobbying.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry