Jump to full article: Sydney Morning Herald (au), 2003-12-22
Author: Michael Pelly
Intro: Myriam Cauvin says Philip Morris and British American Tobacco (BAT) should be forced to set up a national compensation fund because of their gross contravention of consumer laws. . . .
Ms Cauvin failed last year to persuade a court that the companies should pay back $230 million worth of taxes to fight smoking after the High Court ruled that a state tax was invalid. That is subject of a further appeal in the High Court next year.
Her barrister, Neil Francey, told Justice Bell that the cost of taking on the tobacco companies in individual cases meant it was "probably the last opportunity for this to be dealt with in any comprehensive way".
Ms Cauvin's solicitors, Maurice May and Co, believe smokers will come out of the woodwork, and they hope that state governments will take up their standing invitation to join the fight.
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