PHAI Senior Attorney Christopher Banthin discussed low tobacco control funding on WCVB News
Although uncredited in the clip, PHAI Senior Staff Attorney and Director of the Tobacco Control Resource Center, Christopher Banthin, discusses the public health impact of Massachusetts’ low funding commitment to tobacco control. He is responding to a report issued by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids on the Tobacco Settlement, 11 years later. VIDEO: […]
PHAI’s Tobacco Products Liability Project is mentioned in NY Times editorial
A November 27, 2009 editorial entitled A Big Loss for Big Tobacco, stated: Last week’s $300 million verdict, which could still be reversed or reduced on appeal, provides a strong incentive for others to sue. Big awards can send a message to the tobacco industry, or be regarded as simply a cost of doing business. […]
Tobacco Products Liability Project hails $244 million punitive damages award against Philip Morris as “entirely proportionate to the level of reprehensible misconduct by the company”
Jury Hits Philip Morris with $300 Million Verdict in Individual Trial in Florida – 8th Verdict for Florida Plaintiffs this Year.
PHAI submits comments to FDA supporting reducing nicotine levels of smoked tobacco products to non-addictive levels
In response to a request for comments, PHAI urges the FDA to prioritize smoked tobacco nicotine reduction as a potentially highly effective tool to mitigate the public health cost of smoking. Please see our complete Comments (pdf).
PHAI Publishes Issue Briefs on Tobacco Industry’s Corporate Makeover
YEAR ONE – CORPORATE MAKEOVER The Public Health Advocacy Institute, supported by the American Legacy Foundation, has completed a year of research on the tobacco industry’s attempted corporate makeover, and has created five issue briefs on the topic. A 60 minute Webinar was broadcast on May 11, 2009 and is archived HERE. They highlight various […]
The Weakening of RICO’s Remedies Provision: Analysis of the Appeals Court’s Decision in USA v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., et al.
This white paper analyzes the equitable remedies provision of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) as it was interpreted by both the trial and appeals courts in the Department of Justice’s civil RICO case against the major United States cigarette manufacturers. It demonstrates how the appeals court’s decision, which bound the trial court, […]
Potential Master Settlement Agreement Violations Evidenced in Judge Kessler’s Findings in USA v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., et al.
This practice guide examines the court’s lengthy 2006 decision in the U.S. Department of Justice’s racketeering suit against the major American cigarette manufacturers. It highlights the numerous actions of these manufacturers cited in that opinion that may constitute violations of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement, and it calls for enforcement actions to remedy such violations. Potential […]
A Guide for Plaintiffs’ Attorneys: Using Findings and Resources from USA v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., et al. in Future Claims Against Big Tobacco
PHAI has published this practice guide to help plaintiffs’ attorneys understand the some of the value of the judge’s decision in the U.S. Department of Justice’s racketeering suit against the major American cigarette manufacturers for private practice. It highlights the ways in which attorneys may use this opinion in their future claims against “big tobacco” […]
PHAI Submits Brief on Behalf of AMA and others to U.S. Court of Appeals for DC Circuit in Tobacco Racketeering Appeal
PHAI Amicus Brief on Behalf ot the AMA and others in Appeal of RICO case: Last year, a federal judge found the tobacco industry liable for violating RICO, the federal anti-racketeering statute, in a case filed against the industry by the United States Government. An appeal is pending in the U.S Court of Appeals for […]
