Smoker who battled Marlboro dies

A lifelong Marlboro smoker who won a record $US100 million damage award against cigarette maker Philip Morris has died of cancer.

Richard Boeken, who began to smoke as a teenager 40 years ago before warning labels were placed on cigarette packages, died on Thursday at his California home. He was 57.

Boeken sued Philip Morris after he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1999.

The case marked the largest judgment against a tobacco company in a lawsuit by a single smoker. Philip Morris is appealing against the award, which had been reduced by a judge from $US3 billion.