LAWYERS AND CANCER VICTIM MEET THE PRESS OUTSIDE THE HIGH COURT, 1998-02-12 (photo)

Cancer victim Ernest Jones (C) listens intently to lawyers John Pickering (R) and Martyn Day address the media gathered outside the High Court February 12. The lawyers, acting for 43 cancer victims who are suing two of Britain's biggest tobacco companies, said they would pursue the case following an appeal court ruling Thursday freeing them of punitive liability costs. The victims contend that Imperial Tobacco Plc and Gallagher Group Plc were aware in the 1950's that their products were addictive and killing large numbers of people and that tar was the primary cause of death. BRITAIN TABACCO