In a Florida courtroom today, a jury awarded $8 million to the widow of a smoker whose death was caused by his addiction to cigarettes.

Elaine Hess, the widow of Stuart Hess who died of lung cancer in 1997 at the age of 55, was granted the award against giant tobacco company Philip Morris USA.

Hess’ attorney Alex Alvarez told the media today, “She’s a 110lb elementary school teacher and she went up against Philip Morris, one of the most powerful companies in the world, and won.  We have paved the road for these other litigants to come in and seek their day in court as well.  We are happy to be able to do that for them.”

Stuart Hess smoked for 40 of his 55 years.