Today, five judges of the Quebec of Court of Appeal rendered a historic judgement of almost $14 billion and upheld the no less historic ruling of the Superior Court that the tobacco industry (Imperial Tobacco, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges and JTI-MacDonald) had systematically lied distorted the truth, minimized and trivialized the dangers of tobacco for more than 50 years.
The Appeal Court confirmed that the tobacco companies had collectively perfected a program of disinformation aimed at undermining all information contrary to their interests. The court also found that the companies had intentionally and in bad faith created a false scientific controversy and used misleading publicity strategies with the goal of deceiving the public.
With this judgment, the 100,000 Quebec victims who are class members in the Blais class and who have been diagnosed with lung cancer, throat cancer or emphysema are entitled to compensation.
The Court of Appeal also recognized that there was a legitimate cause of action in the class action case named for Cecilia Létourneau. The Appeal Court confirmed that it was a product without real benefits except to satisfy the addiction it causes.
Tobacco victims (or their estate) who believe they are entitled to compensation in this class action are invited to register online at recourstabac.com.
