In COPD Tobacco Suit, Smoker’s Choice to Resume Habit Led to His Disease, Defense Attorney Says

Walter Cofer, representing Philip Morris, tells jurors that Edward Caprio successfully quit smoking for at least six months in the 1980s, and resumed smoking again by choice, not because of addiction. Cofer told jurors this choice ultimately caused Caprio’s COPD. Caprio is suing Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, and the Liggett Group for the COPD and lung cancer he says was caused by his decades of smoking.