[Intl-tobacco] Governments of Honduras and Belize and 14 Brazilian States and Cities File Multi-billion Dollar Lawsuits Against Big Tobacco

[Robert Weissman]

ADVISORY/Governments of Honduras and Belize and 14 Brazilian States and
Cities File Multi-billion Dollar Lawsuits Against Big Tobacco
Source: Business Wire, Tuesday, 5/8/01

The governments of Honduras and Belize, as well as three states and eleven
cities of Brazil, today filed in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court multiple
lawsuits totaling billions of dollars against more than a dozen U.S.
tobacco companies, including Phillip Morris and R.J. Reynolds, which
manufacture and distribute tobacco products to their citizens.

The lawsuits on behalf of the 14 Brazilian states and cities allege that
the tobacco companies deliberately concealed knowledge of the dangers of
smoking and the addictive nature of nicotine contained in tobacco
products, and seek reimbursements of the funds expended on behalf of those
injured by and addicted to the tobacco products. The complaints also
allege the companies were aware of the harmful and deadly effects created
by their tobacco products on the health and welfare of the citizens of
Brazil and has caused or created various deadly diseases such as cancer,
lung and heart disease, and emphysema. The three states of Brazil are
Para, Parana, and Rondonia. The eleven cities are Rio de Janeiro, Belford
Roxo, Belo Horizonte, Carapicuiba, Duque de Caxias, Joao Pessoa, Jundiai
Mage, Nilopolis-RJ, Nova Iguacu-RJ, and Sao Bernardo do Campo.

In addition, the governments of Honduras and Belize are filing second
complaints alleging that the companies smuggled tobacco products and
violated the country's laws by not paying the required duties and taxes.
According to the suit, the tobacco companies participated in a smuggling
ring to illegally ship tobacco out of the countries as tax-free exports,
and then re-import the cigarettes free of taxes by use of foreign trade
zones. The suits further charge that the smuggling activities were
controlled and orchestrated in the United States principally by Philip
Morris and R.J. Reynolds. The suit seeks to recover damages suffered for
the loss of tax revenues, and also to restrain tobacco companies from
continuing to smuggle their products. Despite recent public claims by big
tobacco of a recent courtroom victory, no state court judge in Florida has
entered an order that affects the validity or viability of these claims.
These foreign governments are more committed than ever in seeking redress
in the United States courts of law despite Big Tobacco's efforts to
publicly and politically discourage these governments from pursuing these
actions.

WHAT:  Press Briefing:  Lawsuits Against Big Tobacco

WHO:  Steven C. Marks, Esq. Podhurst Orseck Josefsberg Eaton Meadow Olin &
Perwin, P.A. ---and--- Alan S. Glueck, Esq. Law offices of Alan Glueck

WHEN:  11 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2001

WHERE:  Law offices of Podhurst Orseck Josefsberg Eaton Meadow Olin &
Perwin, P.A. City National Bank Building 25 West Flagler St., Suite 800
Miami, FL 33130-1780

Contact: EV Clay & Associates, Inc., Miami Yolanda Balido/Melisa Mendez,
305/261-6222 Toll Free:  877/261-6222