Tobacco Litigation Information

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Frequently Asked Questions about Tobacco

Q: What is so dangerous about tobacco?

A: Tobacco contains 4000 chemicals, including 19 that are known carcinogens. The dangerous chemicals in tobacco include hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, butane and propane. Tobacco use can cause cancer, high blood pressure, heart attacks and high blood pressure. In fact, smoking harms nearly every organ in the human body.

Q: If a room is properly ventilated, does that mean secondhand smoke is no longer a danger?

A: Secondhand smoke is a danger whenever it is present. While ventilation systems can remove large smoke particles, they generally cannot get rid of the smaller gas particles that smoking also produces. The only way to be protected from the dangers of secondhand smoke — including cancer and respiratory problems — is to be in a genuinely smoke-free environment.

Despite the mixed record of success that plaintiffs have had in bringing tobacco cases, these lawsuits and the threat of additional lawsuits have resulted in many changes in the way tobacco companies operate.

New Mexico Lawyer: Tobacco Class Actions

The health effects of smoking, including lung cancer and emphysema, were long understated by tobacco companies. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to hold those responsible accountable for the losses of those affected through individual and class action tobacco litigation. At Will Ferguson & Associates, our attorneys have the resources, the skill and the determination to mount a challenge on behalf of victims of corporate irresponsibility.

Tobacco - An Overview

Americans have used tobacco since colonization. For centuries, the full health effects of tobacco were unknown. Many people even believed that tobacco had curative properties.

Today, however, when the dangers of tobacco are thoroughly documented, youth and adults continue to smoke or chew tobacco. The addictive qualities of tobacco are powerful and difficult to overcome. If you or a loved one has been harmed by the use of tobacco, contact an experienced attorney from Will Ferguson & Associates in Albuquerque, New mexico, to learn your legal options.

Tobacco and Your Health

Tobacco use in any form brings serious health risks. This does not mean, however, that everyone is aware of the extent of the risks. Because of lack of knowledge — and because of addiction — millions of Americans continue to use tobacco products. If you or a loved one suffers from a health problem caused by tobacco, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to learn your legal options.

Cases against Tobacco Companies

Numerous lawsuits have been filed against tobacco companies over the last several decades. Plaintiffs in these lawsuits seek compensation for the health problems that cigarettes and other tobacco have caused them or their loved ones. The tobacco companies typically fight each lawsuit vigorously, so the plaintiff's attorney must prepare both the scientific and legal arguments very thoroughly. An experienced attorney can be your strong advocate in a lawsuit against a tobacco company.

The History of Tobacco Litigation

For more than half a century, plaintiffs have been filing lawsuits against tobacco companies for the harm their products cause. These lawsuits, however, did not meet with significant success until fairly recently. An attorney who is experienced in tobacco litigation can advise you on the strategies that best suit your case.

The eras of lawsuits against tobacco companies are generally divided into three "waves," based on their underlying legal theories and the social and legal climate of the time.

Government Tobacco Settlements

In 1998, after filing major lawsuits, 46 states and six jurisdictions agreed to a settlement with four major tobacco companies; the remaining four states had already made similar settlements. Nearly 40 other tobacco companies later joined in the settlement. This comprehensive settlement is called the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). The Master Settlement Agreement places significant restrictions on tobacco companies' advertising and sales tactics. It is designed to advance the public interest and compensate states for their expenditures due to the health problems caused by tobacco. If you are experiencing tobacco-related health problems, contact an attorney who can tell you if you have a legal claim against a tobacco company.

Tobacco Resource Links

Smoking and Tobacco Use
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site offering information on the health effects of smoking, how to quit using tobacco and the dangers of secondhand smoke.

Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement Summary

A review of the major points of the Master Settlement Agreement, which restricted tobacco company advertising and required tobacco companies to pay compensation to states for smoking-related medical costs and smoking-reduction programs.

Tobacco Free Initiative
World Health Organization (WHO) site providing perspectives and news on the global public health aspects of tobacco.

The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General
A report concerning the alarming potential consequences of exposure to secondhand smoke.

MedlinePlus: Smoking
US National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health information and resources on the effects of smoking tobacco and how to quit.

Tobacco Litigation Information