Tobacco company death-case winds up

Lengthy closing arguments are under way in a landmark court case against a tobacco company accused of causing the death of a smoker.

The children of Janice Pou, who died from lung cancer four years ago, are suing British American Tobacco New Zealand.

Brandon and Casey Pou are seeking damages of more than $300,000 at the Auckland High Court.

They claim BAT breached its duty of care when she started her 30 cigarettes a day habit in 1968.

Warnings did not appear on cigarette packets until 1974.

BAT argues it was common knowledge well before then that smoking caused lung cancer and that Mrs Pou failed to exercise her choice to quit.

- NEWSTALK ZB