By Tony Mauro
Legal Times
In a surprise 5-4 decision Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that a state lawsuit brought by Maine smokers could proceed against Altria Group, parent company of Philip Morris USA, for fraudulently advertising the health benefits of ‘light’ cigarettes.” In the case, Altria Group v. Good, “Justice John Paul Stevens, writing for the majority…rejected Altria’s assertion that the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act pre-empts state tort actions. The ruling runs against the Court’s recent trend in favor of federal pre-emption in cases involving tort litigation against businesses.” And, “Les Weisbrod, president of the American Association for Justice — a trial lawyers group that filed an amicus brief for the smokers — said in a statement, ‘State laws have an important role to play in helping the federal government police false claims, and today’s decision supports that role.’