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Article

3 May 2007

Author:
Okey Ndiribe, Vanguard [Nigeria]

Lagos, ERA sue tobacco firms for $21bn

The Lagos State Government and Environmental Rights Action (ERA) have filed an action...against several big tobacco companies seeking extensive reliefs that intend to regulate tobacco smoking especially as it affects youth and under-aged smokers...the claimants are making the following allegations: That the defendants have recently admitted that tobacco smoking has severe health implications...[yet]...the defendants have surreptitiously and fraudulently targeted young and under-aged persons in their advertising and marketing...[They also allege] "That on account of legal action, liability, and stricter control measures in the developed world...the Defendants have turned their focus to the developing world..." In Lagos, two (2) persons die daily in the government-run health facilities, from tobacco related diseases. [defendants are British American Tobacco, British American Tobacco (Nigeria), International Tobacco, Philip Morris (part of Altria), Tobacco Institute]