Lawsuit settlements should be fair

Regarding a $1.50 coupon off the purchase price of a can of chewing tobacco. My friend received about 500 of these. It was his reward for adding his name to a list of other people destined to become plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit.

I do not have to be a legal scholar to tell you what the cause of action was. Roughly, plaintiff “chewers” accuse defendant “tobacco honchos” of lying through their teeth about the health risks of using their product.

This suit did not go to trial. But, settlements like verdicts should reflect some measure of equity and fairness. Where is that quality here?

For shepherding their consumers into the hellish fields of lung and lip cancer, the tar merchants receive a fillip to their sales. My friend has 500 of these coupons. Now he will do his part to boost their revenues.

If anyone can explain this to me, my ears are wide open. A final note: I guarantee you plaintiffs' lawyers were not paid in coupons.

Ann Treanor

Cedar Rapids