/R E P E A T -- Class action against tobacco companies: Canadian Cancer Society hails landmark ruling/

MONTREAL, June 2, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The class action suit against the tobacco manufacturers has just been granted $15.5 billion in damages and interest. The Canadian Cancer Society hails this landmark ruling, which shines a spotlight on decades of dishonest behaviour by tobacco companies.

"This is a great day for justice and for people suffering from tobacco-related illnesses," declared Mélanie Champagne, Director, Public Issues, with the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) – Quebec Division. "The ruling that was handed down, while severe, does not begin to reflect the suffering caused by this manipulative industry, which has led to the death of hundreds of thousands of Quebecers, who were lied to for decades. For the CCS, this ruling unequivocally proves that the fight against tobacco must continue to be a priority for Quebec society. Still today, tobacco causes one-third of cancer deaths. Bill 44, recently tabled in the National Assembly and currently awaiting adoption, would help prevent many future deaths caused by unscrupulous cigarette manufacturers. "

Rob Cunningham, lawyer and Senior Policy Analyst for the Canadian Cancer Society, is available for comments and media interviews.

About the Canadian Cancer Society

With the support of 300,000 donors annually and 30,000 volunteers, the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is the Quebec cancer charity that has the greatest potential to save more lives. Each year, some 135,000 turn to it for help. The CCS is doing all it can to increase the overall cancer survival rate, which is currently 63%, to 80% by 2030.

The money raised by the CCS helps:

• prevent more cancers and push for laws that protect public health
• fund more research projects
• support more people living with cancer

Let's save more lives. Visit cancer.ca or call us at 1 888 939-3333.

SOURCE Canadian Cancer Society, Quebec Division

Rob Cunningham , Lawyer and Senior Policy Analyst, Canadian Cancer Society, Telephone: [phone], ext. 4981, Email: [email protected]; André Beaulieu, Senior Advisor, Communications, Canadian Cancer Society, Quebec Division, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected]