A Hernando County man is facing off against the big tobacco companies who supplied his habit for most of his life.

It's a case that could be described as David versus Goliath.

John Rizzutto is up against Philip Morris and Liggett.

A Florida Supreme Court decision in 2006 set his case and many just like it in motion.

It opened the door for people who are suffering from diseases and illnesses like Emphysema to sue the tobacco companies for damages.

Rizzuto's is the first to go on trial in Hernando County.

Potential jurors were questioned on Monday, and even those who were dismissed were already talking about the case.

"It's something that has crossed my mind a few times how that how this plays out between a tobacco company and people that smoke and how much responsibility a smoker has and how much responsibility a company would have," said Franklin Leaman, excused as a juror.

It's a major case playing out in a small town with people around the state and country keeping their eye on it.

"Well, it can happen anywhere so whether this is a small county like we live in here in Hernando County or whether it be a bigger city, I mean, obviously it brings more news coverage here," said Laurie Pizzo, excused as a juror.

Rizzuto's case is just one of about 8,000 in the state of Florida.

It could take the jury up to three weeks to decide if the tobacco companies owe Rizzuto any money.

Rizzuto, his attorneys, nor the attorneys for the tobacco companies wanted to speak to Bay News 9 about this case.