The city of Philadelphia is weighing the possibility it may file a lawsuit against the tobacco industry to recover the costs of fighting the approximately 25 percent of fires that are caused by cigarettes. Trial lawyers in several states are also exploring filing similar suits on behalf of burn victims. Several cities have likewise sued gun manufacturers, attempting to recover crime-fighting costs.

[Ed.: Governments, on the other hand, are immune to liability stemming from the actions of paroled felons.]

†