Tobacco Companies Sued in Canada

Tobacco companies in Canada are being sued by a record breaking two million people from Quebec alleging that the companies withheld information about the health risks of smoking.

"The allegations are serious in terms of advertising to kids, advertising to women, misleading advertising, including for so-called light and mild cigarettes, denying the health effects . . . concealing their own research and concealing internal documents" said Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst for the Canadian Cancer Society. The plaintiffs claim that these marketing tactics led them or their family members to suffer adverse health effects, including death.

The product liability lawsuit also charges the tobacco companies with creating and selling a product they knew was dangerous, distorting the facts about the effects of tobacco products while playing up the alleged benefits with their use, and specifically targeting young people to purchase their products.

According to the Calgary Herald, the defendants include Macdonald Corp., Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd., and Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a tobacco product, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a product liability lawyer may be able to help you.