Tennessee State Court Dismisses Class Action Allegations From "Lights" Lawsuit

Richmond, Va.- A Tennessee state court today dismissed the class-action allegations in a lawsuit brought against Altria Group and Philip Morris USA alleging violations of state consumer protection laws for using the terms “Lights” and “Lowered Tar and Nicotine” on packages of Marlboro Lights cigarettes. The Circuit Court of Davidson County dismissed the class action allegations as being barred by Tennessee consumer protection law.

“Altria Group and Philip Morris USA are pleased with the court’s ruling which properly applied state law in dismissing all class action allegations of the plaintiffs’ lawsuit,” said Murray Garnick, Altria Client Services senior vice president and associate general counsel, speaking on behalf of Altria Group and Philip Morris USA.

In the lawsuit, plaintiffs alleged that Altria Group and Philip Morris USA violated the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act by using the terms “Lights” and “Lowered Tar and Nicotine” on packages of Marlboro Lights cigarettes. Plaintiff sought an unspecified amount of economic damages on behalf of all residents of Tennessee who purchased Marlboro Lights cigarettes at any time since 1971.

The case is McClure v. Altria Group, Inc.