Souza Cruz

SAO PAULO, May 27, 2011 - - After 16 years of litigation, Sao Paulo court denies claims for indemnification from Smokers' Association, in line with recent decisions from the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice The judge of the 19th Civil Court of Sao Paulo denied the claims for indemnification brought by the Association for the Defence of the Health of Smokers (ADESF) in a class action suit filed against cigarette manufacturers Souza Cruz (the Brazilian branch of British American Tobacco Group - BAT, Amex: BTI) (Bovespa: CRUZ3) and Philip Morris Brasil that, according to the plaintiff, was evaluated at more than R$ 30 billion (US$ 18.4 billion).