Philip Morris Loses $10 Billion Verdict in "Light" Cigarette Lawsuit
March 24, 2003
Philip Morris lost a $10 billion verdict Friday in a class-action lawsuit filed over the company's use of the word "light" to promote cigarettes. The suit, brought on behalf of 1.1 million Illinois smokers who bought and used Marlboro Light and Cambridge Light products, accused Philip Morris of deceptively marketing "light" cigarettes as healthier than regular brands, even though health officials say this is not true.
In his ruling, Illinois Circuit Judge Nicholas Byron said the term "lights" implied "reduced harm and safety, but also conveyed to class members that the 'lights' cigarette product was lower in tar and nicotine." Byron ordered the largest U.S. tobacco company to pay $7.1 billion in compensatory damages to smokers and $3 billion in punitive damages to the state of Illinois. Philip Morris plans to appeal the decision.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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