TOBACCO SUIT ON THE ROCKS

In a ruling that could have far-reaching consequences, a West Virginia Circuit Court judge today dismissed several key elements of asuit brought by the state against tobacco companies. West Virginia is suing the companies for the cost of treating Medicare patients with smoking-related illnesses, a tab that the state's Attorney General estimates at about $500 million a year. This could spell trouble for similar broad cases pending in Florida, Mississippi and Minnesota. While throwing out parts of the suit alleging fraud and other issues, Judge Irene Berger ruled that the suit could proceed on the basis ofconsumer protection laws.