Israel’s largest health insurer (Clalit) filed a class action against major tobacco companies for compensations for costs of treatment provided to patients suffering from harms of smoking. Tobacco companies filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit because Clalit claim is general and does not state any specific person and any specific harm. Court held in favor of Clalit because the claim is for “mass tort” in which it is be impossible to connect each harmed individual to a specific tobacco manufacturer.
Governments or insurance agencies may seek reimbursement from the tobacco companies for health care costs related to tobacco. The most famous example is the case brought by individual states in the U.S.A. that resulted in the Master Settlement Agreement.
An individual or organization may seek civil damages against a tobacco company based on the claim that the use of tobacco products causes disease or death. Some of these cases will relate to general tobacco products, while others will relate to specific subcategories of tobacco products--for example, light or low products, menthol or other flavored products. Additionally, there may be cases relating to exposure to secondhand smoke.
Israel’s largest health insurer (Clalit) filed a class action against major tobacco companies for compensations for costs of treatment provided to patients suffering from harms of smoking. Tobacco companies filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit because Clalit claim is general and does not state any specific person and any specific harm. Court held in favor of Clalit because the claim is for “mass tort” in which it is be impossible to connect each harmed individual to a specific tobacco manufacturer.