Suit for "Light Cigarettes" granted

Eddie Farah

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 415

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Today U. S. District Judge Jack Weinstein granted a class action status on "light cigarette "smokers which potentially will costs cigarette makers $200 billion dollars.

The class is anyone who purchased cigarettes that were labeled "light" or "lights" after they were put on the market, beginning in the early 1970's.

Smoker's attorney, Michael D. Hausfeld argued before the courts, that manufacturers promoted light cigarettes as a lower-risk alternative to regular cigarettes, even though they knew the risks were the same.

Attorneys for the tobacco companies, Phillip Morris, USA Inc, and Altria Group In., argued the Lawsuit relied on flawed data, should not be certified as a class, and without surveying each smoker, it would be impossible to determine their motives for buying light cigarettes.

Additionally, the judge stated he "would entertain a motion to extend the class.... to encompass smokers of all 'low tar' brands rather than 'lights' alone.

The tobacco companies are appealing this decision.

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