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Tag: class action lawsuit

  • Canadian Court Certifies Class Action Against Juul, Altria

    Canadian Court Certifies Class Action Against Juul, Altria

    The Supreme Court of British Columbia certified a nationwide class action against Juul Labs and Altria Group, allowing claims to proceed on behalf of individuals in Canada who purchased or used Juul products for personal use between August 2018 and July 15, 2026. The lawsuit alleges the companies marketed e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to cigarettes while contributing to nicotine addiction among a new generation of consumers. The ruling is procedural and does not determine liability.

    The court rejected several arguments raised by Juul and Altria regarding certification, allowing the case to move forward. The action is one of two legal proceedings against Juul in Canada, alongside a separate lawsuit by the government of British Columbia seeking recovery of healthcare costs associated with the company’s products. Juul and Altria may appeal the certification decision.

  • Whole Foods Faces Class-Action for Surcharge on Tobacco-Using Employees

    Whole Foods Faces Class-Action for Surcharge on Tobacco-Using Employees

    Whole Foods Market Inc. is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit filed last week alleging the retailer unlawfully imposes a tobacco-use surcharge of about $780 per year on employees’ health insurance premiums without providing a compliant alternative to avoid or recover the fee, according to HR Dive. The suit, brought by three current and former workers, claims that while employees can enroll in a tobacco cessation program, the surcharge is only removed prospectively and cannot be recouped retroactively, falling short of federal requirements outlined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The case comes amid a broader wave of ERISA lawsuits challenging employer tobacco surcharge programs, with plaintiffs arguing such policies unfairly raise costs for tobacco users without reasonable alternatives, potentially breaching fiduciary duties under ERISA and related federal laws.