Imperial Tobacco Canada satisfied with ruling by B.C. Court of Appeal in
landmark cases

Federal Government is now a party in class action and Medicaid suits

MONTREAL , Dec. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - Imperial Tobacco Canada is pleased that the B.C. Court of Appeal decision in two high-profile lawsuits will require the federal government to answer for its actions and decisions governing tobacco use in this country.

"We believe it's time to set the record straight about the federal government's role as a senior partner in the tobacco industry," said Donald McCarty, Imperial Tobacco Canada's Vice President of Law. "The B.C. decision will demonstrate that the Government of Canada has known about the risks associated with smoking for decades and that it instigated and promoted the development and sale of lower-tar tobacco products."

Imperial Tobacco Canada petitioned the B.C. Court of Appeal for the right to include the federal government as a third party in a class action suit against the company to recover the money spent by smokers on "light" or "mild" cigarettes and in the B.C. government's suit to recover health care costs from the industry.

"The Government of Canada has been a senior partner of the tobacco industry for decades. They have legalized tobacco in Canada , heavily regulated it, and taxed it to the tune of billions of dollars every year," added Mr. McCarty . "It is only right that the Government of Canada stands next to the tobacco industry in these cases and be accountable for its role in the history of tobacco control strategy."

Imperial Tobacco Canada has also issued third party notices in other provincial lawsuits in Newfoundland, Quebec and New Brunswick .

For further information: Eric Gagnon, Manager, External Communications, Imperial Tobacco Canada, [phone] ext. 2113