Tobacco Companies

Reynolds American buys chewing tobacco company

Court overturns $10.1B judgment against Philip Morris

Altria (Philip Morris) buys Indonesian cigarette company

RJ Reynolds combines with BAT America 2004

Reynolds American Inc

Philip Morris (Altria)

Illinois Supreme Court overturns $10.1B judgment
Plaintiffs had alleged that Philip Morris USA had defrauded "Lights" smokers by suggesting to them Marlboro Lights and Cambridge Lights were actually less hazardous than their full-flavor brands
Opinion 12.15.05
Altria webpage
Altria stock chart
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American Legacy Foundation v Lorillard Tobacco

Delaware Chancery Court decision 8.22.05
Issue arose over 1998 global settlement
among tobacco companies and state attorney generals
Tobacco company claimed a public interest foundation violated the settlement agreement by making
"personal attacks" and "vilifying" individuals and companies
Foundation's anti-smoking campaign was funded by tobacco companies as part of the settlement
Court found that the ads didn't violate the settlement agreement

In Re Simon II Litigation 2005

2^ndCircuit overturns EDNY's class certification
Opinion 5.06.05
Weinstein, J had certified a non-opt-out class of current and former smokers who had been diagnosed with smoking-related diseases

Notable Transactions

RAI to buy 2^nd largest US chewing tobacco company