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The $17.8-billion lawsuit was believed to be the biggest class-action ever seen in Canada.

Two of the big tobacco firms — JTI-Macdonald and Imperial Tobacco — reacted immediately to Riordan’s ruling and said they’ll appeal the decision. The third is Rothmans, Benson & Hedges.

The industry argued people knew about the risks of smoking and that the products were sold legally and with federal government approval and strict regulation.

JTI-Macdonald said Canadians have been well aware of the health risks since the 1950s and health warnings have been on packages for more than 40 years.

“JTI-Macdonald Corp. fundamentally disagrees with today’s judgment and intends to file an appeal,” it said in a statement. “The company strongly believes that the evidence presented at trial does not justify the Court’s conclusions.”

Since the 1950s, Canadians have had a very high awareness of the health risks of smoking, the company noted. That awareness has been reinforced by the health warnings printed on every legal cigarette package for more than 40 years.

Imperial Tobacco added its disapproval Monday.

“We believe there are strong grounds for appeal and we will continue to defend our rights as a legal company,” said Tamara Gitto, vice-president law and general counsel for Imperial.

The trial stemmed from two cases that were originally filed in 1998 before being certified and consolidated in 2005. It began sitting in 2012.

Cecilia Letourneau filed on behalf of the province’s smokers who were addicted to nicotine and remained addicted or who died without quitting.

The other was filed by the late Jean-Yves Blais and sought compensatory and punitive damages for smokers who’d suffered from cancer in their lungs, larynx or throat, or emphysema.

The case heard from 78 witnesses over 234 days in a giant Montreal courtroom as well as several weeks of final arguments.

The Canadian Press