Pa. Smokers Denied Class-Action Status January 3, 2001
News Summary
A judge has rejected class-action status for a lawsuit brought against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. by smokers in Pennsylvania, the Associated Press reported Dec. 31.The lawsuit, filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, claims that R.J. Reynolds misrepresented the health risks of its light and ultra-light cigarette brands.
The court ruled the class-action status inappropriate because there is a lack of evidence that smokers started using light cigarette because they thought the cigarettes were healthier.
"Every smoker's circumstances are unique, and class actions are not appropriate for litigating claims by groups of people who each have different personal smoking and medical histories," said Thomas F. McKim, general counsel for R.J. Reynolds.
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