APTN National News
North America’s largest tobacco companies have launched a $1.5 billion lawsuit against Aboriginal producers in Ontario and Quebec.
Papers were filed in an Ontario court and names companies in Kahnawake, Akwesasne, Tyendinaga, Six Nations and others.
The owners of so-called smoke shacks on reserves and Mohawk territories are also being sued.
In court documents, Imperial Tobacco, Benson & Hedges and a number of other large companies claim that Aboriginal cigarette producers should be included in a larger suit launched by Ontario government.
Ontario is suing Big Tobacco for $50 billion in damages caused by smoking
Rainbow Tobacco of Kahnawake in Quebec is one of the companies named.
Robbie Dickson, president of Rainbow, spoke to APTN from Tyendianga Mohawk Territory.
