Tillman v. R. J. Reynolds Tobacco

On June 13, 2001, we issued an opinion in this case in which, inter alia, we asked the Alabama Supreme Court to answer a certified question regarding the interpretation of Alabama law concerning the liability of retailers who sell cigarettes. See Tillman v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, 253 F.3d 1302, 1307-08 (11th Cir.2001). Federal jurisdiction of this case turns on the answer to our certified question because, as we stated, “If the complaint states a cause of action against retailers, there is no federal jurisdiction based on diversity.” Id. at 1307. The question is as follows:

WHETHER THERE IS…