TOBACCO CONTROL LAWS

Silva, et al. v. Philip Morris Brasil, Ltda.

The plaintiffs sued Philip Morris Brasil seeking damages for the death of their relative allegedly caused from tobacco consumption. Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged that misleading advertisements about the attractiveness and lifestyle benefits of tobacco products induced the deceased to smoke. The trial court and the appeals court ruled in favor of Philip Morris, finding that the victim had smoked out of his own free will. The plaintiffs then appealed to the Superior Court of Justice. The Superior Court found the appeal inadmissible because the plaintiffs alleged a violation of the Consumer Protection Code, which was not in effect at the time the plaintiffs' relative began smoking. The Superior Court refused plaintiffs' request to re-examine the facts the case. The appeal was dismissed and the higher court's decision maintained.

Laura Geni da Silva, et al. v. Philip Morris Brasil, No. 851.924-RS, Superior Tribunal de Justiça [Superior Court of Justice] (2010).

  • Brazil
  • Feb 18, 2010
  • Superior Court of Justice (Superior Tribunal de Justiça)
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Parties

Plaintiff

  • Adair Ferreira de Morais
  • Jairo Alvez Ferraz
  • Laura Geni da Silva
  • Noeli Francisca da Silva Morais
  • Noir Francisca da Silva Ferraz
  • Valdoir Francisco da Silva
  • Valmir Eduardo da Silva

Defendant Philip Morris Brasil, Ltda.

Legislation Cited

Consumer's Protection Code, Law No. 8.078/90 (Código de Defesa do Consumidor, Lei n° 8.078/90)

Related Documents

None

Type of Litigation

Personal Injury
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.

Tobacco Control Topics

Contents and Disclosures Measures
Measures for testing, measuring, regulating, or disclosing the contents and emissions of tobacco products. (See FCTC Arts. 9 and 10)
Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship
Measures restricting any form of direct or indirect tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. (See FCTC Art. 13)

Substantive Issues

Right to Life
A violation of the right to not be killed by another person. Arguments may also be similar or tied to right to health arguments.
Right to Self-Determination
Smokers’ rights groups may claim that governments interfere with consumers’ freedom of choice when they regulate tobacco use.
Consumer Protection Violation

Any violation of a law designed to ensure fair trade, competition, or the free flow of truthful information in the marketplace. For example, a government may require businesses to disclose detailed information about products—particularly in areas where safety or public health is an issue.

Legal Product
Tobacco is a legal product and the tobacco industry is a legal industry.
Procedural Defect
The court might consider procedural matters without touching the merits of the case. These might include: improper joinder, when third parties, such as Health NGOs or government officials, seek to become parties to the suit; lack of standing, where a plaintiff fails to meet the minimum requirements to bring suit; lack of personal jurisdiction, where the court does not have jurisdiction to rule over the defendant; or lack of subject matter jurisdiction, where the court does not have jurisdiction over the issue at suit.
Acceptance of Known Risk

A plaintiff’s liability may be limited where she has accepted the risks and consequences of her behavior.  The tobacco industry may argue that the dangers of smoking are well known, so liability should be limited.

Type of Tobacco Product

None

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