A Seattle, Wash., jury has ruled in favor of tobacco company R.J. Reynolds in a sick-smoker's case, Reuters reported May 16.

The defendant's verdict came in the case filed by Phillip Kimball, who sought $10 million in damages for the lung-cancer death of his wife, Carla, who died in 2001. Mrs. Kimball smoked Winston and Winston Light 100s for years, but quit smoking 11 years before her death.

Reynolds succeeded in shifting blame for Mrs. Kimball's death onto the victim. "The plaintiff was well aware of the risks of smoking," said company attorney Jeff Raborn. "In fact, the jury found that Mrs. Kimball was aware of the risks of smoking, and she knowingly assumed those risks. We obviously agree with this decision."