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One Million Smokers Win £8bn In Compensation

One Million Smokers Win £8bn In Compensation

Smokers in Quebec have been awarded more than £8bn (C$15.5bn) in damages after the biggest class action lawsuit in Canadian history was brought against tobacco companies.

Most of the compensation will be given to about 100,000 current and former smokers, who alleged that three of the world's biggest brands did not adequately warn the public that cigarettes could cause cancer and other illnesses, even though the industry was aware of the dangers in the 1950s.

About £69m (C$131m) is to be split between 900,000 people who became addicted to tobacco, and could not stop smoking.

Although JTI-Macdonald, Imperial Tobacco and Rothmans, Benson & Hedges have announced they intend to appeal the ruling, the court has ordered them to deposit £517m (C$1bn) within 60 days.

The lawsuit began in 1998. Tens of thousands of documents were reviewed, and the court only began sitting in 2012.

An anti-smoking lobby group representing the one million plaintiffs said: "It's a great day for victims of tobacco who have been waiting for this moment for 17 years."

Andre Lesperance, one of the lawyers representing the smokers, described the ruling as a "great victory for society in general".

"These three companies lied to their customers and hurt their right to life," he added.

Lise Blais was one of those waiting for a verdict. Her husband, Jean-Yves, died in 2012 from lung cancer after unsuccessfully attempting to quit smoking six times over a 14-year period.

Imperial Tobacco Canada, which was ordered by Superior Court Justice Brian Riordan to cover 67% of the damages, has said in a statement that the decisions of consumers are not their responsibility.

The company's spokeswoman, Tamara Gitto, added: "The 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.

"We believe there are strong grounds for appeal and we will continue to defend our rights as a legal company."

Meanwhile, JTI-Macdonald, a subsidiary of Japan Tobacco Inc Group, added: "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."

Imperial Tobacco Canada is a part of British American Tobacco plc, whilst Rothmans, Benson & Hedges is a subsidiary of Philip Morris International.

All three companies saw their share prices plunge following the verdict.

Deborah Arnott, the chief executive of ASH, has expressed hope that "where Canada leads, the UK will follow".

She said: "The tobacco industry's products are lethal when used as intended, yet it has largely avoided having to pay for those crimes against humanity.

"Of course we expect the industry to appeal, but as this is only the first of a set of cases, further rulings against the industry could drive it out of business in Canada."