Utah residents sue tobacco companies

February 16, 1998
Web posted at: 2:23 p.m. EST (1923 GMT)

SALT LAKE CITY (CNN) -- Four Utah residents have filed a lawsuit accusing major cigarette manufacturers of selling a defective product and conspiring to conceal the addictive power of nicotine. The plaintiffs, who took up cigarettes as teen-agers, smoked for decades and now suffer from smoke-related illnesses, ask that their lawsuit receive class action status.

The suit filed Friday contends tobacco companies elevated the level of nicotine in cigarettes, which helped to create addictions so strong that customers were left without a choice but to keep smoking.

A proposed $368.5 billion tobacco settlement now under debate in Congress would provide immunity from such lawsuits.

The Utah complaint contends the tobacco industry should establish a medical monitoring fund for smokers, finance smoking-cessation programs and give up at least five years of gross revenues from cigarettes sales in Utah. It also demands punitive damages.

Related stories:

• Judge sets ground rules as tobacco trial begins - January 26, 1998
• Texas' reaches $15.3 billion settlement with tobacco industry - January 16, 1998
• Closing arguments due in Florida woman's tobacco lawsuit - October 29, 1997
• What do state tobacco deals mean for national settlement? - August 25, 1997
• Clinton rejects major aspect of tobacco deal - July 9, 1997
• Tobacco under attack

Related sites:

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• Tobacco Trials - Utah Litigation
• NOCALL - Tobacco Resources
  • Tobacco Trials - State List
  • Major legal cases and court coverage of tobacco lawsuits around the world

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