Breaking news: Landmark victory for victims of the tobacco industry in Quebec!
I made these sketches last winter, while observing the Blais-Létourneau tobacco trials here in Montreal. You may check back here and read about my experience as a first time court room reporter, and my initial impressions on the sides of the argument.
Yesterday afternoon Justice Brian Riordan (sketched above) published his 236 page ruling – coming down clearly against the tobacco companies. He says:
“Knowingly exposing people to the type of dangers that the Companies knew cigarettes represented without any precaution signals being sent is beyond irresponsible at any time of the Class Period. It is also intentionally negligent.”
So there it is. A straightforward conclusion that the tobacco companies knew they were poisoning people, that they intentionally hid the truth, and profited from those lies of omission.
Guy Pratte speaking for Imperial Tobacco Ltd
What this actually means for the industry, and those who are seriously ill remains to be seen – but here’s the meat of the ruling:
Justice Riordan awarded $6.86 billion in moral damages to the almost 100,000 Quebec smokers whose serious illness makes them eligible to be members of this class. Once interest and other charges are added, the total could be $15.5 billion.
Those who have lung or throat cancer will receive $100,000 if they started smoking before 1976 and $80,000 if they started smoking after 1976. Those with emphysema will receive $30,000 if they started smoking before 1976 and $24,000 if after. Once interest is considered, these amounts could be doubled or more.
Suzanne Côté, recently appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada, (standing)
I believe this means that it is the justice’s opinion, that the warning labels on the packages are insufficient defense – probably they came too late after knowing about the credible threat. (I have not read the report in detail, but this would be my guess as to why complying with labeling was rejected as a defense).
I must also assume that the ‘everyone knows smoking kills’ argument did not absolve the industry. Considering their knowledge that people could not overcome their addictions, despite the warnings and jokes about ‘cancer sticks’ and ‘coffin nails’, it’s not sufficient to say ‘don’t do this thing that I know you can’t resist doing and that I am so seductively advertising to you’.
And then there is the ‘well, motorcycles kill, and we still sell motorcycles’ defense – which apparently also did not hold water. I would imagine the logic is that motorcycles have the potential to be used safely, given proper precautions – whereas there is no safe use for cigarettes.
So damn! We kind of all knew this, but it’s rather incredible to see it happen in court.
I’m excited to see what comes next. Does this mean then that the sale of cigarettes will be banned in Quebec? What will happen at the appeal? I will be watching with curiosity. I’m not sure I will have the opportunity to make any more drawings on the subject – but it was tremendous to be able to be there sketching on that historic occasion.
Simon Potter representing Rothmans Benson and Hedges
Citizen Sketcher 
No, don’t stop reporting over this!
I absolutely love your Craftsy video, it has been one of the most exciting and valuable ones on their platform. Mostly due to it helped open up the process for sketching quickly but with style! Any chance you will be doing another video? Any thoughts about coming to Seattle we have an active Urban Sketching group. Thanks again for sharing your work, Johanna Sent from XFINITY Connect Mobile App
Hey Johanna – thanks for saying! In fact I am talking to a few people about new video projects – so it’s looking like something might happen this year :)
Re: Seattle – I’d love to! Just a matter of getting 10-15 people who might want a class – and finding the time slot :) Am booking courses for 2016 now. If you’re group might be interested lets talk more. (marc(dot)taro(at)gmail(dot)com).
Good that you got a drawing commission for a major court case.
This case has been going on …um for the past 10 yrs. I know the firm that defended 1 of the tobacco companies.
I’ll be interested to hear what the outcome of this ruling has on the people who choose to smoke for whatever reason. As one who suffers from Emphysema/COPD due to smoking, a ruling would not help me in the slightest degree. It will be interesting to see what the ramifications of a ban will be. Remember Prohibition of alcohol in the US. There is no clear solution to this issue.
I’ll be very happy if you do more classes on sketching. I loved the Craftsy one. I’m not sure I’ll ever get the loose, gestural sketch technique. Mine all look herky-jerky, far from artistic! I haven’t a clue how to loosen up. I seem to repeat the same gestures over and over even though I’ve got an entire sketchbook filled with attempts.