BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — A lifelong smoker is suing Philip Morris and others after developing cancer and other smoking-related diseases.
Kerry Ashmore filed a complaint Feb. 24 in Massachusetts' Suffolk Superior Court against Philip Morris USA Inc., R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and others alleging negligence and other claims.
Ashmore alleges in his suit that he began smoking Marlboro brand cigarettes as a youth, became addicted to nicotine and continued to smoke for decades. He claims in 2020, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, COPD and emphysema and that Philip Morris designed defective products and negligently marketed and distributed its cigarettes to him during his youth.
Ashmore further claims the defendants conspired to mislead consumers about the safety and addictive nature of their cigarettes since the 1950s and intentionally targeted children in order to attain long-term smokers. He alleges that the defendants manipulated and controlled the tar and nicotine content and delivery of their tobacco products to create and maintain smokers' addictions.
Ashmore claims the defendants' negligence for failing to timely warn or disclose their cigarette product can lead to various diseases.
Ashmore seeks monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Walter Kelley and Colleen Ryf of Berheim Kelley Bittista & Bliss LLC in Plymouth.