Three tobacco companies accused in a CAD 27 billion (EUR 20.6 billion) class-action suit of hiding the dangers of smoking began their defence on 13 May, saying the dangers have been common knowledge for decades, CBC reported.

Historian Jacques Lacoursière took the stand in a Montreal courtroom, backed by more than 700 references to the dangers of smoking going back to the 1950s. They include news reports, government releases, school manuals and the work of health professionals, CBC said.
Imperial Tobacco, JTI-MacDonald and Rothmans, Benson & Hedges are battling claims filed by two groups of individuals representing 1.8 million residents of Quebec, according to the story on the CBC website. (pi)