A Quebec judge rejected a claim by foreign tobacco companies that they are exempt on jurisdictional grounds from a CAD 60 billion (EUR 44.5 billion) lawsuit to reclaim health expenses from treating smokers, The Canadian Press reported.

Justice Stephane Sansfacon in a ruling dated 4 July said major tobacco companies and their Canadian subsidiaries can be sued in Quebec Superior Court, the news agency reported. Sansafacon's ruling may be appealed, the news agency said.
Filed in 2012, the Quebec suit seeks damages from 11 companies and associations, according to the report. Most provinces have filed similar suits.