Brazil

The plaintiff sought damages for health problems that she claimed to have suffered as a result of her use of tobacco products, which she had begun consuming at a very early age. She claimed that the tobacco company, Souza Cruz, advertised smoking as being healthy, classy, and the source of well-being, which led her to start smoking. The plaintiff died during the litigation and her spouse and son continued the lawsuit and demanded financial compensation for all of the original plaintiff's medical costs, as well as for the pain and suffering she and her family experienced. Finding that the plaintiff had demonstrated that the tobacco company knew about the harmful consequences of its products, but nevertheless refrained from disclosing them in pursuit of financial gains, the Court held in favor of the plaintiff. The court ordered Souza Cruz to compensate the plaintiffs.