Tobacco companies ordered to pay $15B to smokers

[Metroplex79]

ARTICLE: Tobacco companies ordered to pay $15B to smokers

Big Tobacco will have to dole out $15 billion to Quebec smokers after losing a historic class-action lawsuit.

Imperial Tobacco, Rothmans Benson & Hedges and JTI-MacDonald have been ordered to pay moral and punitive damages for misleading consumers about the dangers of cigarettes.

"Today is a great victory for the fight against smoking," Mario Bujold, executive director of the Quebec Council on Tobacco and Health, said.

The Quebec Superior Court ruled Monday on a lawsuit that's been 16 years in the making.

Two Quebec groups -- one representing smokers who became ill and the other representing smokers who can't kick the habit -- launched the lawsuit in 1999, but legal proceedings didn't begin until 2012.

The companies must pay $90,000-$100,000 to plaintiffs with cancer, $24,000-$30,000 to those with emphysema and $130 to smokers who are unable to quit.

The companies plan to appeal.

JTI-MacDonald issued a statement that it "strongly believes that the evidence presented at trial does not justify the Court's conclusions.

"Since the 1950s, Canadians have had a very high awareness of the health risks of smoking. That awareness has been reinforced by the health warnings printed on every legal cigarette package for more than 40 years," it said.

Imperial Tobacco Canada echoed that sentiment.

"Today's judgment ignores the reality that both adult consumers and governments have known about the risks associated with smoking for decades, and seeks to relieve adult consumers of any responsibility for their actions," Tamara Gitto, vice-president of law and general counsel, said.

Appeal or not, the companies have been ordered to begin issuing payments within 60 days.

Seriously?


Smokers should be proving they were deceived by showing their 1st pack X number of years ago that didn't have warnings.

I'd bet that the smokers who do get the money, will be buying more.



Additional articles:
Tobacco firms ordered to pay Quebec smokers $15B in damages

Tobacco companies ordered to pay $15B in damages

Quebec smokers awarded $15B in landmark ruling

(I hope this isn't too political for the boards)

[JLvatron]

I don't agree with paying damages to someone who willingly chose to indulge a health-damaging habit.

I understand if someone was from the 1950's or 60's where they advertised how good and cool it is.
But anytime after that, everybody knew what they were getting into.

[Xtreme987]

So glad I never started smoking in the first place. I could care less about the money. It's people's health that is going to suffer in the long run. I do feel a little bad for those who can't quit however they had to of known right from the start that smoking wasn't good for them, so they did have the choice.

[MULTIPLEX]

And since when did the government admit smoking causes cancer?

This will be appealed and delayed to no end.

[Ozrein]

I think the biggest issue here is that most smokers started smoking as teenagers/young adults, the age range that is known for making some of the worst decisions or at the very least not encumbered by thoughts of consequences. Not that I'm going to go sue the tobacco companies but I can tell you that if I could go back and convince my 17 year old self never to start smoking, I definitely would (probably tell myself to invest in google or something as well).

[Grimtron]

What about us non-smokers who are exposed to second hand smoke and can potentially get lung cancer from that. Were is our compensation . Honestly the pictures on the smoking pactages and those commercials freak the shit out of me and makes me never want to try. Also, if your an adult you are responsible for what you do and you are old enough to know the risks. So saying I didn't know it causes cancer and I am addicted, so lets sue, should fly.

Honestly if somebody can sue the tobacco company saying they got addict to it, can I sue Hasbo/Takara for giving me a transformers addiction, cause I can't quit??? I want my money

[Xtreme987]

Originally Posted by Grimtron

.... can I sue Hasbo/Takara for giving me a transformers addiction, cause I can't quit??? I want my money

Ya Hasbro we wants ta get paid .... LoL

[JLvatron]

Originally Posted by Xtreme987

Ya Hasbro we wants ta get paid .... LoL

Yes, paid in plastic.

Preferably MP's and convention exclusives!

[Sideswipe]

Why are cigarettes still on the market at all?

[JLvatron]

Originally Posted by Sideswipe

Why are cigarettes still on the market at all?

Very good question.

If it's ok, then make it legal and allow advertising.
If it's not OK, then ban it altogether.

Life would be simpler with a simple approach.