Jump to full article: AP, 2002-11-15
Author: ALAN SAYRE, AP Business Writer
Intro: NEW ORLEANS (AP) - In a blow to the tobacco industry, the Louisiana Supreme Court on Friday ordered a plan for a class-action trial that will focus on whether cigarette makers conspired to keep smokers hooked.
The court rejected the industry's request to include testimony on the actions of individual smokers. The plaintiffs had argued that doing so would threaten the lawsuit's class-action status.
Instead of individual damages, the plaintiffs are seeking money from cigarette companies for medical monitoring of Louisiana smokers and for programs to help them quit.
The court said the trial's first phase would concentrate on issues including the alleged marketing of cigarettes to children, the alleged manipulation of nicotine levels, manufacturing a dangerous product and whether the industry engaged in fraud and conspiracy.
The court gave no indication of when the trial might start.
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