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ADVISORY/Governments of Honduras and Belize and 14 Brazilian States and Cities File Multi-billion Dollar Lawsuits Against Big Tobacco 

The governments of Honduras and Belize, as well as three states and eleven cities of Brazil, today filed in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court multiple lawsuits totaling billions of dollars against more than a dozen U.S. tobacco companies, including Phillip Morris and R.J. Reynolds, which manufacture and distribute tobacco products to their citizens.

The lawsuits on behalf of the 14 Brazilian states and cities allege that the tobacco companies deliberately concealed knowledge of the dangers of smoking and the addictive nature of nicotine contained in tobacco products, and seek reimbursements of the funds expended on behalf of those injured by and addicted to the tobacco products. The complaints also allege the companies were aware of the harmful and deadly effects created by their tobacco products on the health and welfare of the citizens of Brazil and has caused or created various deadly diseases such as cancer, lung and heart disease, and emphysema. The three states of Brazil are Para, Parana, and Rondonia. The eleven cities are Rio de Janeiro, Belford Roxo, Belo Horizonte, Carapicuiba, Duque de Caxias, Joao Pessoa, Jundiai Mage, Nilopolis-RJ, Nova Iguacu-RJ, and Sao Bernardo do Campo.

In addition, the governments of Honduras and Belize are filing second complaints alleging that the companies smuggled tobacco products and violated the country's laws by not paying the required duties and taxes.

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