Tobacco update

The first civil suit to be brought in New Zealand, against 78%-of-the-market-holder British American Tobacco (BAT) comes from Janice Pou who is dying of lung cancer. Alleging that BAT’s negligence led to her addiction at the age of 17 and subsequent condition, she seeks NZ$330,000 compensation. This split as NZ$200,000 for pain and suffering, NZ$50,000 for loss of enjoyment of life, NZ$50,000 for loss of expectation of life and the balance for medical bills and loss of earnings.