But after nine hours of deliberations, the jury ordered the cigarette maker to pay $2 million in compensatory damages to Elaine Hess, $1 million to her son David and $5 million in punitive damages.

Philip Morris has said it will appeal the judgment.

The ruling follows a 2006 judgment from the state’s supreme court which struck down a record $145 million punitive award in a class action suit.

Virginia-based Altria, Philip Morris’ parent company, vowed it would defend itself vigorously in all court cases.

Students check the seals on the boxes containing exams before the final high school examinations at Trung Vuong High School in Ho Chi Minh City last year

Source: AFP