Tobacco.org

• Altria Judge Says He Won't Rule in Class Action During Appeal 

The judge overseeing a $200 billion lawsuit by smokers of ``light'' cigarettes against Altria Group's Philip Morris unit said the case won't go forward until an appeals court rules on whether it may proceed as a class action.

The decision, made public today, means it is unlikely that U.S. District Judge Jack B. Weinstein in Brooklyn, New York, will be asked to block Altria's planned spinoff of its Kraft Foods unit, which is scheduled for March 30.

Michael Hausfeld, who represents the nationwide class of light cigarette smokers suing tobacco companies in the Brooklyn case, said today he's considering a legal move to block the Kraft deal, to help ensure that Altria can pay if he wins the case.

``No matters related to this case'' will go forward before the appeal is decided, Weinstein said, according to court records.

Jump to full article »