Tobacco Companies Liable
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U. S. District Judge Gladys Kessler recently ruled some tobacco companies broke the law, and found them liable for violating racketeering laws for decades, in a conspiracy to hid smoking dangers.
Cigarette smoking causes disease, suffering and death. Despite internal recognition of this fact, defendants have publicly denied, distorted, and minimized the hazards of smoking for decades.
These companies suppressed research and destroyed key documents. They also perpetuated addition by manipulating nicotine levels.
Although the appeals court ruling prevented Judge Kessler from awarding cost remedies to the companies, she did order them to inform the public about the health effects and addictiveness of smoking and also banned them from conveying health claims such as "low tar" and "light".
R.J. Reynolds Company spokesman stated they were disappointed with the ruling, but were pleased with her decision not to award monetary penalties.
Judge Kessler advised the February 23005 U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruling barred her from imposing stricter penalties against the tobacco companies. The government has sought $280 billion from past industry profits. Instead the government sought to require tobacco companies to fund $14 billion in anti-smoking program over a 10 year period.
Although the Justice Department was pleased with Judge Kessler's finding they were disappointed with the remedies.
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