Maine Plaintiffs Lose Ruling in Light Cigarette Lawsuit

Smokers suing Philip Morris and its parent company over light cigarettes will have to start from scratch with their lawsuit in Maine.

A federal judge in Bangor has denied plaintiffs’ request to have facts from a previous lawsuit by the Department of Justice applied to the new litigation over so-called “light” or “low-tar” cigarettes. The order, issued Friday, will likely be appealed.

The lawsuit contends smokers of Marlboro Lights, Virginia Slims Lights and other light cigarettes were misled into thinking that the cigarettes contained less tar and nicotine.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that plaintiffs can use state consumer protection laws to sue cigarette makers. The lawsuit involves more than 20 plaintiffs from across the country.