MONTREAL – Anti-smoking advocates don’t seem unduly concerned about a legal victory by the big tobacco companies.
Quebec’s appeal court ruled Thursday that big tobacco companies don’t have to make an immediate $1 billion payment to smokers in the province who won a landmark class-action suit.
The appeal court said it could be hard for the tobacco companies to get the money back if they win an appeal of a judgement ordering them to pay the $15.6-billion.
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READ MORE: $15 billion awarded to Quebec smokers in landmark class-action lawsuit
A lower court judge ordered Imperial Tobacco, Rothmans, Benson-and-Hedges and JTI-Macdonald to make the first billion dollar payment by this Sunday.
But they argued they wouldn’t be able to recover the money if they win their appeal.
READ MORE: Provinces seeking to recoup smoking health costs to benefit from Quebec ruling
The executive director of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada said she isn’t disappointed by the decision, calling it a sideshow.
Cynthia Callard said the appeal on the original judgement is the big show.
The lawsuit is believed to be Canada’s largest-ever class-action.
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