South Korea\\\'s state health insurer sues tobacco firms

South Korea's state health insurer is suing three tobacco firms, including the local unit of Philip Morris, to offset smoking-related treatment costs. The local arm of British American Tobacco has also been named in the lawsuit, along with market leader at home, KT&G Corp. The insurer is seeking an initial sum of $52m (£31m) in damages. The state insurer has said previously it spends more than $1.6bn each year on treating smoking-related diseases. South Korea's National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) said in a statement: "Smoking is a serious issue affecting people, particularly the youth and women. "So we will push ahead with this suit with a strong determination, for the future of our nation and sustainability of our health insurance." The lawsuit from NHIS comes days after South Korea's Supreme Court said there was a lack of proof that smoking causes lung cancer, according to BBC.