Tobacco.org

• Court to Hear Arguments In "Light" Smokes Case 

Several major tobacco companies are set to go to a U.S. appellate court on Tuesday to argue about whether a $200 billion lawsuit against them by "light" cigarette smokers should proceed as a class action.

The hearing scheduled before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is the latest development in the closely watched case, which could potentially expose tobacco companies to hundreds of billions of dollars in liabilities. . . .

The appellate court's decision, although not expected on Tuesday, would help shape how far the case is ultimately allowed to go, said Benjamin Zipursky, professor at Fordham University School of Law.

At Tuesday's hearing, observers should watch out for any indications that the court might give of its thinking, Zipursky said. "Do the judges appear to be leaving any room for partial classes or subsets?"

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