Jump to full article: AP, 2009-03-16
Author: Associated Press
Intro: The state's highest court ruled today that Massachusetts smokers can use a consumer protection law to sue Philip Morris Inc. for the way it marketed Marlboro Lights.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's ruling -- which closely mirrored a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in December -- means a class-action lawsuit brought by smokers who claim deceptive marketing can move forward.
In the U.S. Supreme Court case, the justices ruled that smokers may use state consumer protection laws to sue cigarette makers for the way they promote "light" and "low tar" brands.
The Massachusetts court, in a unanimous ruling, cited the Supreme Court ruling and said the state's law against deceptive marketing practices can be used by smokers who sued Richmond, Va.-based Philip Morris, which is owned by Altria Group Inc.
In their lawsuit, filed in 1998, the Massachusetts smokers claimed that Philip Morris engaged in deceptive marketing because Marlboro Lights did not deliver lowered tar and nicotine to smokers.
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