Court to weigh in on "light" cigarettes

Should people be able to sue tobacco companies for unfair and deceptive advertising regarding "low tar," "ultra light" or "mild" cigarettes? That's the question Supreme Court justices will have to address soon. Three Maine residents filed suit for misleading them on cigarettes which were supposed to have lower tar and nicotine. The original case was thrown out, but the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals brought it back to life.

Now cigarette makers want the Supreme Court to put a stop to lawsuits like this. The court will have to decide whether or not claims about advertising can be used against the tobacco industry. After using these so-called light smokes for 15 years, the Maine plaintiffs allege Philip Morris and Altria Group had research showing that people smoking "low tar" cigarettes had to inhale more to get the same effect as regular cigarettes.

Of course, this isn't the first time a similar disagreement was thrown out of court. But appeals have a way of dragging on, so it will be some time before this is settled. It's hard to point fingers when someone knowingly puts toxic chemicals in their body for a decade and a half. Should tobacco companies be liable? That's something for the court to decide.