Court Rules in Favor of Tobacco Manufacturers, Decertification Upheld
10/26/99
Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation issued the following statement regarding a ruling from New York's highest court upholding the decertification of five consolidated class action complaints brought by New York smokers who claim that they were defraude
``New York's Court of Appeals' decision to affirm the decertification of these five classes once again underscores the fact that smoking and health lawsuits should not be treated as class actions.
``In a 7-0 decision, the court concluded that, '... the proposed class actions would be unmanageable because of the individualized nature of many of the issues.'
``This appellate opinion reflects Brown & Williamson's position that the facts underlying each individual's decision to purchase cigarettes and subsequent use is uniquely individual and should be treated as such.''
Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation is headquartered in Louisville, Ky. The company's major brands include KOOL, LUCKY STRIKE, CARLTON, CAPRI, GPC, MISTY, and VICEROY.
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