Court overturns tobacco verdict; Lawsuit accused Philip Morris USA of misleading over 'light' cigarettes
Associated Press
December 16, 2005

The Illinois Supreme Court handed the tobacco industry a huge victory Thursday by tossing out a $10.1 billion fraud judgment against Philip Morris USA over the marketing of its "light" cigarettes.

But while shares of parent company Altria Group Inc. soared to an all-time high on the news, industry critics warned that the Illinois decision does not insulate U.S. cigarette companies from future lawsuits. There are at least 40 similar lawsuits pending against companies such as Philip Morris and Reynolds American, any of which could result in awards into the billions of dollars, tobacco opponents said.

"They need to keep their legal teams ready," said Richard Daynard, president of the Boston-based Tobacco Control Resource Center and a longtime industry foe.

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