A Beijing smoker took a tobacco company and one of its sales agents to court on Monday, accusing them of manufacturing and selling cigarettes that turned his teeth yellow, the Beijing News reported yesterday.

Liu Shengjiang, a 35-year-old law professor at the Capital University of Economics and Business, told the Xuanwu District People's Court that he started smoking 15 years ago and now consumes an average of two packs a day. He said smoking had affected his health and colored his teeth.

Liu said he was addicted to the "Nanjing" brand produced by Nanjing Cigarette Factory based in Jiangsu Province. He accused the company of "failing to give a clear indication of the dangers of smoking".

"The manufacturer said 'smoking is harmful' on its package, but we consumers don't know what harm it will do us," Liu said.

"If there were more specific warnings a lot of potential consumers would never start smoking," he said.

Liu demanded a written apology and 350 yuan ($45) in compensation from the factory and the Guohua department store, where he has previously bought cigarettes.

An attorney representing the defendant said it could not be proved "Nanjing" cigarettes had directly contributed to Liu's teeth problems, saying drinking tea and soda water can also turn teeth yellow.

"The packets and the warnings on them are in line with the national packaging standards," the attorney said.

Liu showed a picture of a packet of "Zhonghua" cigarettes, which are produced in China but sold in Australia. He said the packaging for brands sold on the domestic market should be the same as those sold overseas.

The court failed to reach a verdict on Monday.

Xinhua

(China Daily 07/04/2007 page5)