Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Tobacco firms come under fire


A case charging tobacco firms of misleading smokers into believing that low tar or "light" cigarettes are not as adverse as regular cigarettes has proceeded into a class action suit in the United States.

Insiders surmise that the tobacco industry could incur an up to $200 billion expense.

The defendants include Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds and British American Tobacco joined by Lorillard Tobacco and Liggett Group.

Tobacco investors are closely watching the suit as it is one of the industry's more important remaining legal risks.

The tobacco companies are being forced to cut out the spin and come clean on the dangers of smoking.

A US District Court decision on August 17, 2006, ruled that tobacco companies could no longer use terms like "'low tar,' 'light,' ultra light,' 'mild' or 'natural'", which they declared to be misleading. Beginning in January 2007, these product names can no longer be used.

The dangers of a 'light' cigarette is no less than any other. This is a phony method to lure younger and unsuspecting customers into taking up this deadly habit. The tobacco companies knew the link between smoking and lung cancer since it was first confirmed in 1954.

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