Cigarette makers come short in appeal

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court Friday largely agreed with a landmark ruling that found cigarette makers deceived the public for decades about the health hazards of smoking.

The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington upheld the major elements of a 2006 ruling that found the nation’s top tobacco companies guilty of fraud and violating racketeering laws.

The ruling said manufacturers must change the way they market cigarettes. It bans labels such as "low tar,” "light” or "ultra light,” since such cigarettes have been found to be no safer than others.

It says the companies must publish "corrective statements” on the adverse health effects and addictiveness of smoking and nicotine. The changes have not taken effect while the case has been under appeal.

Throughout the 10 years the case has been litigated, tobacco companies have denied committing fraud. The government filed the civil case under a 1970 racketeering law used primarily to prosecute mobsters in cases in which there has been a group effort to commit fraud.



by the associated press