NEW YORK - A US federal judge Monday gave a green light to a class-action suit alleging major tobacco companies tried to trick consumers into believing "light" cigarettes were safer than other cigarettes.
Judge Jack Weinstein of US District Court in Brooklyn, New York, rejected a motion to dismiss the case, allowing a trial to go forward against Altria unit Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. and others.
The ruling opens the door to a potentially massive judgment against cigarette makers, which up to now have managed to avoid or win appeals in most the suits alleging they should pay for improperly hiding the dangers of tobacco.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages from what they claim was a conspiracy dating back decades to make it appear that light or "low tar" cigarettes were safer.
"The industry`s goal was not to develop less harmful cigarettes, but to develop cigarettes that would be perceived as less harmful," said the suit filed in May 2004.
09/25/2006 14:45 GMT