Tobacco.org

Cigarette makers renew class action criticism 

In its praise for a decision brought by a Miami U.S. District Court jury in favor of the company and a competitor, cigarette maker Philip Morris USA (NYSE: MO) has reissued its complaints for class action lawsuits.

Criticism over class actions from that company and others comes as cigarette makers await a decision on their appeal to a $145 billion verdict against them and in favor of Florida smokers.

In an individual lawsuit decided Friday, Sylvia Allen had asked a jury to award more than $5.2 million in compensatory damages, plus punitive damages, for the 1999 death of her 64-year-old husband, James R. "Bob" Allen, according to New York-based Philip Morris USA.

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