Vicusi said his analysis has led critics to call him "ghoulish" and a "merchant of death," but attacked these claims as "arguments of desperation."

Around 20 students and professor turned out for the debate. Students said most had attended because they were in classes taught by Elhague or Viscusi, or had seen signs advertising the event.

Sasha Volokh, 26, a first-year law student, had written about tobacco public policy for a Los Angeles think-tank.

"I feel that tobacco litigation is universally applauded," said Volokh, who himself is against the legislation. "You don't often hear the other side."

"I'd never really seen a debate--I thought it might be interesting," said second-year law student David N. Biscan.

"I wish the industry had played out the suits," he said. "Now we don't have a precedent set for other products such as guns."

The debate was sponsored by the local chapter of the national conservative/libertarian Federalist Society, which solicited Viscusi and asked him to find a suitable faculty member to debate.

Ken K. Lee, vice president of the organization said that its purpose is "to promote pressing debate on contemporary issues." Past debates have focused on issues such as affirmative action and gun control.