[Intl-tobacco] Peru To Join Legal Battles Against US Tobacco Cos

[Robert Weissman]

Peru To Joint Legal Battles Against US Tobacco Cos
by Robert Kozak / Dow Jones Newswires; 511-221-7050; peru@dowjones.com
Source: The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition, Thursday, 1/4/01

LIMA -- Count Peru in as one of the governments that wants to take on big
tobacco.

The Peruvian government said Thursday it is seeking legal advisors in
order to go after the U.S. tobacco companies.

The government said that tobacco sold by the companies has damaged the
health of Peruvians, boosting the cost of treating illnesses.

It also said that much of the tobacco consumed in Peru is contraband,
which has negatively affected the state coffers.

A decree published in the official gazette Thursday authorized the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find "specialized advisors" to defend "the
interests of the Peruvian State."

The decree, signed by President Valentin Paniagua and several cabinet
ministers, noted that various U.S. states and other foreign governments
have made legal claims against the tobacco companies.

"The result is that it is opportune according to law that Peru start the
necessary measures, and possibly, legal actions against the tobacco
companies resident in the United States of America," the government said.

A spokesman for Peru's embassy in Washington said it was waiting to
receive instructions.

"It is not the state but the ill citizens who have been affected by the
tobacco companies. We are seeking advise on how to help these persons,"
said a spokeswoman at the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lima.

Various class actions suits against the tobacco industry have taken place
in the U.S. with varying degrees of success.

Among those suing have been health insurers and the U.S. government.
Several foreign countries have also filed suit seeking reimbursement for
national health care expenses, including the governments of Ecuador,
Venezuela and Bolivia.

Lawyers have also filed lawsuits against the industry on behalf of
citizens in various countries, including Argentina and Canada.


URL for this Article:
http://interactive.wsj.com/archive/retrieve.cgi?id=DI-CO-20010104-007288.djml