TOBACCO LITIGATION

The law firm that pioneered asbestos litigation in Australia is preparing
to launch a landmark damages case against the Federal Government for
supplying cigarettes to Australian troops in Vietnam.

Slater and Gordon is understood to be planning a law suit based on the
inclusion of cigarettes in soldier's rations.

Slater and Gordon refused to comment but legal sources said the firm was
planning to become heavily involved in anti-smoking litigation in the same
way it dominated asbestos litigation in the 1980's and early 1990's.

It is understood they are preparing a case on behalf of one or more ill
ex-Vietnam veterans who became addicted to smoking while in Vietnam.

The claims would allege negligence - and possibly a breach of its duty of
care - by the Federal Government in that cigarettes were dangerous and
addictive and should not have been supplied to troops.