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Arabia
Saudis Sue Big Tobacco
2007-05-20
RIYADH - Saudi Arabia will seek more than $2.7 billion in damages from international tobacco companies in a lawsuit due to go on trial in the capital Riyadh on Sept. 11 this year, the kingdomÂ’s health ministry said on Saturday.
Hypocrites! They weaseled out of the 9-11 lawsuit, and now they put the squeeze on the tobacco companies.
In November, the ministry threatened to sue international tobacco companies unless they paid the government and patients the full cost of treatment for tobacco-related illnesses.
How many people are being murdered by al-Qaeda in Iraq, which is funded by some of the 8,000 member Saud royal arses.
This is the first time it has put a value on the claim. The suit will require companies to pay a lump sum of 10 billion riyals ($2.67 billion) plus 500 million riyals a year for the treatment of tobacco-related illnesses, the ministry said in a statement on its Web site. It did not say what period the compensation would cover.

The ministry did not name any companies. Philip Morris MO.N, British American Tobacco Plc and Altadis are among the foreign firms that sell tobacco products in Saudi Arabia.
Posted by:Sneaze

#5  Tell Saudi Arabia that if they proceed with this case we will reinstate the 9-11 damages suit. That'll shut them the fuck up.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-05-20 20:30  

#4  Nuke Riyadh, and half the problems in the world will cease to exist. Soddy aRabida needs to be "cured" of its "addiction" to other people's money.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2007-05-20 16:37  

#3  Saudia Arabia has the control to stop imports of tobacco. Me thinks they want $$$$ imports instead.
Will they say they can't read the warnings on the side of the cartons because they are in English?
Posted by: Jan from work   2007-05-20 14:37  

#2  Or just switch to their Acapulco Gold Filters brand that doesn't contain tobacco.
Posted by: 3dc   2007-05-20 14:35  

#1  Clearly all tobacco shipments to KSA should cease immediately. Violent social upheavals to follow in a few days, when the nicotine withdrawal kicks in. I really don't care much one way or the other on the suit, but it would be kind of fun to watch the fireworks.
Posted by: Glenmore   2007-05-20 11:49  

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