Judge: Tobacco Co.s must pay $263.5 million NEW ORLEANS (AP) (wrkf) - An Orleans Parish judge has ordered the nation's biggest tobacco companies to put $263.5 million into an account for a statewide program to help people stop smoking.

Judge Richard Ganucheau's order comes more than three years after a jury found that the tobacco companies deceived the public with an addictive product and schemed to market cigarettes to children.

A state appeal court cut more than half from the award set by the jury. It also eliminated some of the programs ordered by the jury, and limited eligibilty.

Attorney Phil Wittmann, who represents Philip Morris USA, says the companies will ask Ganucheau to let them wait until higher courts review the matter before paying the money.

Plaintiffs' attorney Russ Herman says the payment is long overdue, and some people who needed help to quit have died while the case was being appealed. © Copyright 2009, wrkf