Today, Wilson et al., published a new study in the journal Pediatrics demonstrating that children who live in homes in which no one smokes inside have a 45% increase in cotinine levels if they live in apartments compared with detached homes. The findings came through analysis of data from the 2001–2006 National Health and Nutrition […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : November 23, 2010 Contact: Edward L. Sweda, Jr. 617-373-8462 or 857-753-9560 A New Hampshire state court on Monday granted a motion to certify a class action in a lawsuit brought under that state’s Consumer Protection Act (CPA) in the case of Lawrence et al. v. Philip Morris, USA, Inc. The ruling
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Contact: Edward L. Sweda, Jr. or Mark Gottlieb (617) 373-2026 or (617) 373-8462. A Bronson, Florida (Levy County) jury today awarded $8 million in compensatory damages and another $72 million in punitive damages against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company for its role in the lung cancer death of James Kayce Horner. Mr.
Results of a study released today by the National Cancer Institute suggest that heavy smokers may be able to reduce the chances of dying from lung cancer through low-dose helical computed tomography (CT) scans. In a randomized national trial of more than 53,000 current and former heavy smokers, CT scans led to outcomes of 20%
National Cancer Institute Study May Affect Cigarette Litigation Read More »
August 5, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Edward L. Sweda or Mark Gottlieb (617) 373-8462 or (617) 373-2026 A Palm Beach, Florida jury today returned a verdict of $2.2. million against Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds, on behalf of Liz Piendle, the widow of Charles Piendle, who died from lung cancer in 1996 at the age
Yet Another Plaintiff’s Verdict in Florida: Piendle v. RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. et al. Read More »
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals today, in Brown et al. v. RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co., et al., vacated an August 28, 2008 order by U.S. District Court Judge Howard Schlesinger which had eliminated the preclusive effect of the Engle jury’s Phase I findings. Now, with that roadblock having been cleared, federal court plaintiffs in
On June 29, 2010, the Public Health Advocacy Institute conducted a webinar on the tobacco industry’s use of corporate social responsibility rhetoric and tactics to try to improve its image, while still maintaining an emphasis on personal responsibility. Tobacco companies use corporate social responsibility rhetoric and tactics to normalize their image and stave off further
Media contacts: Valerie Wencis, Massachusetts General Hospital, 617.726.0274, vwencis@partners.org Todd Datz, Harvard School of Public Health, 617.998.8819, tdatz@hsph.harvard.edu Barry Wanger, Northeastern University School of Law, 617.965.6469, barry@wangerassociates.com Researchers examine risks and consequences of cigarette smoking to all inhabitants of multiple-unit housing; challenge status quo BOSTON– In an effort to protect children from harmful tobacco smoke exposure, health
By Edward L. Sweda, Jr., Senior Attorney- PHAI DEATH PENALTY On May 20, 2010, the Commonwealth of Virginia executed Darick Demorris Walker, who had been convicted of murdering Stanley Beale in 1996 and Clarence Elwood Threat in 1997. Also on May 20, 2010, the Altria Group, Inc. Annual Shareholders Meeting took place in Richmond, Virginia.
By Edward L. Sweda, Jr., Senior Attorney – PHAI NEW RULES REGARDING ADMITTANCE TO THE MEETING. The Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) Annual Shareholders Meeting took place in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Friday morning, May 7, 2010. According to a March 22, 2010 “Dear Shareholder” letter from President and CEO Susan M. Ivey, those shareholders who