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• Maine smokers' case going before U.S. Supreme Court 

The nation’s high court will not rule on the underlying merits of the case, Bangor attorney Samuel Lanham, who represents the plaintiffs, said Monday. Instead, the court will consider the question of pre-emption — a legal doctrine holding that federal laws take precedence over some state laws.

Lanham’s clients, three Maine residents who each smoked light cigarettes for more than 15 years, sued Philip Morris USA Inc., and its parent company, Altria Group Inc., in August 2005 under the Maine Unfair Trade Practice Act.

"What’s exciting is that this is an opportunity for Maine people to potentially have a voice at that level," Lanham said Monday. "As their attorney, I can’t lose sight of the fact that the plaintiffs chose to smoke light cigarettes because they believed light cigarettes offered lower tar and nicotine.

"It’s exciting for them to have the opportunity for their measure of justice," he continued. "It’s discouraging this is about their right to get to the merits of the case."

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