The claimant alleges that the Altria group (formerly Philip Morris) is responsible for his addiction to cigarettes.
Israeli Sharon Sasson, 37, yesterday filed a NIS 2.36 billion lawsuit and request for approval of a class action suit against US cigarette manufacturer Altria group (formerly Philip Morris) (NYSE: MO).
The claimant alleges that he became addicted to smoking cigarettes manufactured and marketed by Altria at age 14, when he began smoking Altria-manufactured Marlboro brand cigarettes. He asserts that despite his efforts, he was unable to stop smoking. According to Sasson, the Altria group is responsible for his addiction to cigarettes and his physical dependence on them, because the company directly and/or indirectly encouraged him to smoke at the time. He claims that Altria should compensate him for his expenses, damages, and suffering caused by his attempts to stop smoking and inability to do so.
The claimant accuses Altria of seriously and continually misleading the public about the characteristics of the product that it produces and markets, and the risks incurred by using it, particularly the presence of nicotine, an addictive substance, and other poisons in cigarettes. Sasson claims that Altria itself now publishes the fact that its cigarettes are addictive, compares cigarette addiction to drug addiction, and refers and proposes various treatments for it.
Altria has not yet filed a response.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on July 12, 2005