French Court Rejects Lawsuit Against Tobacco Companies.Business Editors LAUSANNE, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 2003 The Civil Court of Saint-Nazaire announced today that it had rejected a claim by the Caisse Primaire d' Assurance Maladie (CPAM CPAM Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (French: health insurance) CPAM Crime Prevention Association of Michigan CPAM Certified Patient Account Manager (AAHAM) ) of Saint-Nazaire seeking to recover health care costs for the treatment of smoking-related diseases from certain affiliates of Philip Morris International Philip Morris International, (PMI) based in Lausanne, Switzerland, held a 15.5% share of the international cigarette market in 2005. Its brands, led by Marlboro and L&M, are sold in over 160 countries around the world. and other tobacco companies. The CPAM is a local branch of the French Social Security System. This is the first time a French Court has addressed the ability of a health care provider to bring a direct action against tobacco manufacturers for the cost of treating beneficiaries who were smokers. Similar claims have been rejected in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and elsewhere. French courts generally have not accepted liability claims from individual smokers. "This is an important decision since it is the first of its kind in France," Mark Friedman, Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Philip Morris International said. "These cases simply do not belong in Court, and litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. is not the best way to address the matters raised. We will continue to work with the appropriate authorities to seek regulatory solutions to issues relating to smoking and health", Friedman said. Note to the editor: The other defendants in the case are SEITA SEITA Service d'Exploitation Industrielle des Tabacs et des Allumettes (French national Company of industrial exploitation of the tobaccos and matches) , and affiliates of British American Tobacco British American Tobacco Plc (LSE: BATS, AMEX: BTI, KLSE: BAT) is the second largest listed tobacco company in the world. It is based in London, England and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index with a market capitalisation of over £29 billion as of June 2005. , and affiliates of Japan Tobacco International. The case was brought by the Caisse Primaire d' Assurance Maladie (CPAM) of St. Nazaire which is a local branch of the French Social Security System. |
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