Rules that defendants violated racketeering laws

The U.S. Court of Appeals has sided with a lower court, finding that cigarette companies set out to deliberately deceive consumers about the dangers of smoking. The court found the defendants, including Altria, violated federal racketeering laws.

The 92-page opinion sided completely with the lower court regarding the tobacco companies, but removed two trade groups as defendants.

The suit stemmed from cigarette ads for “low tar” and “light” cigarettes. The plaintiffs charged those descriptions gave smokers the false impression that these products were safer than regular cigarettes.

In August 2006 U.S. District Court Judge Gladys Kessler ruled against the tobacco companies, saying “low tar” and “light” were off limits for ads or branding.

Tens of millions of “light” cigarette smokers were granted class action status in 2006, in a suit seeking billions of dollars in damage from tobacco companies.

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~Sandy G.