Philip Morris Accused of Deception in Low-Tar Marketing March 19, 2002
News Summary
A federal jury in Portland, Ore., is being asked to consider whether Philip Morris misled the public about its low-tar cigarettes, Reuters reported March 15.The lawsuit was filed by the family of Michelle Schwarz, who died at age 53 of lung cancer after smoking low-tar Merit cigarettes. The lawsuit holds Philip Morris responsible for her wrongful death, stating that the company misled Schwarz about the safety of the cigarettes.
Lawrence Wobbrock, the attorney for the family, said that Schwarz got the impression from the company's marketing efforts that the low-tar cigarettes were a less-dangerous alternative to regular cigarettes.
"Michelle Schwarz suffered injury and death as a direct result of her reliance on the defendant's misrepresentation," Wobbrock said during the trial.
Closing arguments from Philip Morris lawyers are expected to focus on the choice that Schwarz made to smoke.
COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE: