A Hernando County man suing two tobacco companies took the stand today in an ongoing trial.
John Rizzuto of Spring Hill is suing tobacco giants Phillip Morris and Liggett Group.
Rizutto, 69, smoked most of his life and now suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. He says he's addicted to cigarettes and he wants compensation for years of suffering.
Rizzuto said he grew up during a time when smoking was hip.
"It was a common thing to see on TV no matter what type of program was on. Could be a talk show, could be in the movies," said Rizzuto. "My mother and father both smoked. My brother smoked and most of my uncles and aunts they all smoked."
Rizzuto told jurors he started smoking at 13 years old and finally quit back in 2000.
Lawyers for the tobacco companies argue Rizzuto knew the risks of smoking, he knew about the warning labels when he started years ago and he could have quit. They don't believe he's addicted.
Rizzuto says his poor health haunts his family.
"I don't want them to have to worry you know that something is going to happen to me," he said.
Ultimately the jury will decided how much money Rizzuto will get if any.
Court will start up again Thursday morning and the lawyers for the tobacco companies could start to present their case. The trial should wrap up by the end of the week or the beginning of next week.
A Florida Supreme Court decision in 2006 set the case, and thousands of others, in motion. Rizutto's, however, is the first trial of this kind in Hernando County.
According to partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, the jury must decide if Rizutto was addicted to cigarettes and, if so, whether his chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD, was caused by that addiction. Legal observers nationwide are watching the case closely.
The trial may take up to three weeks.