Newfoundland files lawsuit against tobacco comapnies to recover cost of smoke-related ailments

Newfoundland and Labrador Justice Minister and Attorney General announced Tuesday the filing of a lawsuit by the province against tobacco firms in a bid to recover cost of smoke-related ailments.
The move followed the proclamation on the same day of Newfoundland’s Tobacco Health Care Costs Recovery Act, which permits the province to sue tobacco firms directly. The act was passed 10 years ago, but proclaimed only on Tuesday.

Through the proclamation, Collins said Newfoundland hopes to expose tobacco firms for misrepresenting the harm caused by their products and consumers will become aware of the misrepresentation to help them quit smoking.

Collins explained the decade gap between the approval and proclamation of the Act because Newfoundland took the time to track how other jurisdictions handled the legal aspect and to build a strong case against the tobacco companies.

Among the companies that Newfoundland included in the lawsuit were Rothmans and Philip Morris USA. To represent the province, Newfoundland hired the services of a local firm Roebothan Mckay Marshall, and Missouri-based Humphrey, Farrington and McCain, which are considered experts in tobacco litigation.