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September 11, 1998 Three plan $11.5-billion suit against tobacco firmsMONTREAL (CP) -- Major tobacco firms would have to pay Quebecers more than $11.5 billion if a new class-action suit gets to court and succeeds.Lawyers for three smokers have asked Quebec Superior Court to hear the suit against Imperial Tobacco Ltd., Rothmans Inc. and RJR MacDonald Inc. The proposed suit is on behalf of 2.3 million Quebecers who are addicted to nicotine. It seeks $5,000 in punitive damages for each smoker plus compensation for specific damages. Don Brown, president of Imperial Tobacco, said Friday he is confident the request and all its claims will be rejected by the court. "We intend to defend vigorously the interests of our company," said Brown, who is also chairman and chief executive officer of the firm, Canada's major tobacco manufacturer. The request to authorize the class-action suit will be formally presented Nov. 4 at the Montreal courthouse. The three smokers behind the suit -- Christine Fortin and Joseph Mandelan, both of Montreal, and Celia Letourneau of Rimouski, Que. -- say cigarette manufacturers have known for decades their products are harmful. Fortin, who began smoking in 1977 at age 16, says she thought it would help her stay thin. Fortin says she didn't anticipate her health problems including bronchitis and pleurisy. Do you have an opinion about one of our stories?Know someone who might be interested in this page? Just type in the email address to send them the URL
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