2ND-HAND SMOKE SPARKS CITY'S SUIT

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- The anti-tobacco lobby opened a new front against
the makers of cigarettes and cigars Wednesday when the City of Los Angeles
sued 16 of them for failing to warn about the dangers of secondhand smoke.

City Atty. Jim Hahn said it was the first legal action of its kind in the
United States.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims the tobacco
corporations are violating California Proposition 65, a voter-approved
initiative that requires anyone doing business in the state to warn the
public before exposing them to carcinogens or other toxins.

Hahn said the lawsuit seeks civil penalties that could exceed $2.5 billion.
The city also is asking for an injunction that would ban the companies from
selling their products in California without first giving "a clear and
reasonable warning" about the dangers of secondhand smoke.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett