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‘Light’ Cigarette Suits Allowed by U.S. Supreme Court (Update5)  

Smokers can sue over the marketing of “light” cigarettes, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a decision that bolsters billions of dollars in claims against Altria Group Inc.’s Philip Morris USA and other tobacco companies.

The justices, voting 5-4, said a federal labeling law doesn’t shield cigarette makers from suits accusing them of deceiving consumers by describing cigarettes as “light” or “low tar.” The high court also said federal oversight of cigarette testing didn’t preclude those lawsuits.

Light-cigarette suits represent probably the most significant legal threat facing the tobacco industry . . .

Philip Morris also argued that lawsuits would interfere with the Federal Trade Commission’s oversight of cigarette testing and its policy of encouraging companies to market low-tar brands.

Stevens rejected that argument, saying the FTC “has no longstanding policy authorizing collateral representations” based on the testing method used by cigarette makers. Thomas didn’t address that question in his dissent.

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