Lyantie Townsend, etc. v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

Supreme Court of Florida ____________ No. SC15-722 ____________ LYANTIE TOWNSEND, etc., Petitioner, vs. R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY, Respondent. [June 9, 2016] LEWIS, J. This case is before the Court for review of the decision of the First District Court of Appeal in R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Townsend,

160 So. 3d 570

(Fla. 1st DCA 2015). In its decision, the district court certified a question of great public importance to this Court. See

id. at 575. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 3(b)(4), Fla. Const. BACKGROUND After lengthy and protracted litigation, this case is here for a…