Arkansas Judge OKs Class-Action Status in Marlboro Lights Suit

A judge in Arkansas has granted class-action status to a lawsuit that claims Philip Morris USA deliberately exaggerated the safety of its Marlboro Lights cigarettes. Attorneys for Philip Morris had argued that any lawsuits should be filed individually, but Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox approved class-action status for the litigation. Neither side estimated the number of potential plaintiffs, but lawyers for Philip Morris said the group would be the largest in Arkansas history, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. A company spokesman said Philip Morris will appeal the class-action designation.