German tobacco firm 'faces legal action'

German tobacco company Reemstma is being sued over the effects of smoking, a report has said.

It is the first time the German firm has faced such action, although in the United States, tobacco companies have been forced to pay out vast sums of money to smokers.

Wolfgang Heine is seeking 400,000 euros ($450,000; £278,000) in damages from Reemstma after he suffered a heart attack and two heart bypass operations, according to the magazine Focus.

A heavy smoker, he is accusing the firm of failing to warn smokers in the 1980s of the dangers of the tobacco habit.

Reemstma is now a subsidiary of Imperial Tobacco having been bought by the UK firm last year.

Little chance?

According to Focus, the district court in Arnsberg has accepted the law suit, and the oral hearing could start in November.

Focus also quoted the plaintiff's application as saying the manufacturer had added products with toxic substances, such as ammonia to cigarette tobacco from 1984 on.

If Mr Heine wins his case, numerous similar lawsuits could follow in Germany.

But Focus quotes experts as saying his chances of success are slight.