JUDGE DISMISSES MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR LAWSUIT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A federal judge has dismissed a multimillion-dollar
lawsuit filed by Oregon union trust funds against tobacco companies.

In a decision revealed Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Malcolm F. Marsh
ruled that individual union smokers could sue tobacco companies to recoup
the cost of treating smoking-related injuries but that union trust funds
could not.

"The lawsuit details an allegedly sordid history of irresponsible corporate
management and unchecked greed on the part of the tobacco industry," Marsh
wrote. "However compelling these charges may be, there are very sound
judicial policy reasons for limiting legal actions to those parties most
directly injured by the harmful conduct."

Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers is one of about 40 state attorneys
general who have sued tobacco companies in an attempt to recoup state
medical costs for treating smoking-related injuries.

Marsh said states are different from unions "given the state's unique role
relative to the protection of its citizens."

Steve Larson, an attorney representing the union trust funds, did not
return a call seeking comment.

John W. Phillips, a Seattle lawyer for Philip Morris Inc., said there were
40 to 60 union trust fund lawsuits against tobacco companies throughout the
country.

There have been eight decisions -- four dismissals, including Marsh's, and
four other decisions largely favorable to tobacco companies.

But tobacco companies have agreed to pay billions of dollars in settlements
with four states that filed lawsuits -- Minnesota, Florida, Texas and
Mississippi.

Copyright 1997 Associated Press

Checked-by: Richard Lake