Cigarette Firms Win Dismissal of 2 Suits

Philip Morris Cos. and other U.S. tobacco companies have won the dismissal of two lawsuits brought by Native American tribes seeking reimbursement for treatment of tobacco-related disease, the company said.

In a ruling last week, U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield in Beaumont, Texas, threw out a case brought by the Coushatta tribe, agreeing with the tobacco companies that the injury suffered by the tribe was too remote to warrant damages.

The other ruling, on July 30, by U.S. District Judge Edwin Mechem in New Mexico, didn’t allow claims by the Acoma Pueblo and 44 other tribes seeking damages.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco agreed with a lower court’s finding that the tribes had not shown an injury to justify their suit against Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc., British American Tobacco’s Brown & Williamson unit and Loews Corp.’s Lorillard unit.

On the NYSE, Philip Morris’ shares rose 54 cents to close at $47.94, R.J. Reynolds rose 59 cents to $58.34, and Loews rose 73 cents to $49.55.