In Canada, JTI-Macdonald Corp., Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. and Imperial Tobacco Canada have just reached an agreement in principle of 21 billion euros with their creditors to compensate tobacco victims, as well as the Canadian provinces. An agreement which must be ratified on December 12, 2024. This is a historic agreement in terms of the scale of the sums involved, as well as the number of Canadians who will receive financial compensation.
1 min
With our correspondent in Canada, Pascale Guéricolas
In 1988, a Quebecer, who had since died of lung cancer, started collective action, supported by an organization fighting against tobacco. Their argument: cigarette manufacturers did not warn their customers about the dangers of their product. A judgment rendered in 2015 in Quebec condemns the tobacco giants to compensate 100,000 Quebecers who are victims of lung or throat cancer.
Compensations
THE canadian provincesfor their part, are demanding compensation for the money invested in the treatment of diseases linked to smoking. Ultimately, it took five years of negotiations behind closed doors to arrive at a financing plan between the three companies involved, representatives of the victims and the provinces.
The largest compensation in Quebec
It is in Quebec that cancer patients or their heirs will receive the largest compensation of up to 70,000 euros. However, several organizations fighting against smoking regrets that manufacturers can continue to promote their products such as electronic cigarettes.
►Also read: Trial of Canadian tobacco companies: thirteen years of proceedings and 27 billion dollars at stake (March 13, 2012)