Cigarette-maker Philip Morris held accountable for decades of lying to consumers

Chief Justice Paul De Muniz and the Oregon Supreme Court have upheld a ruling that requires tobacco giant Philip Morris pay $79.5 million in damages related to the death of Oregon husband and father Jesse Williams.

As part of a civil suit brought by the Williams family in 1999, a jury ordered Philip Morris to pay the punitive damages on the basis of previously secret evidence about the company’s 45 years of fraudulent advertising and decades of lying to the public about the health dangers of tobacco.

Despite the fact that the $79.5 million reward only represents about 2 ½ weeks of profit for the company, Philip Morris wasted a decade on appeals and stonewalling to fight the ruling. Specifically, Philip Morris has refused to pay the 60 percent punitive damages award an Oregon jury ordered to go to the state. In Oregon, punitive damages are shared with the state’s crime victims’ fund. The money is then used to help victims and their families offset the cost of mental health counseling, medical care and lost earnings.

“Today’s decision sends a strong message to corporations that have wronged Oregon consumers that they will be held accountable for their actions,” said EFO Executive Director Angela Martin.

Source: Economic Fairness Oregon economicfairness.org

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