By Terry James
SPRINGFIELD – More than 10 years later, a lawsuit against tobacco giant Phillip Morris is being revisited. The Illinois Supreme Court is hearing arguments Tuesday.
The class action lawsuit accused the tobacco company of fraudulently using terms such as “light” and “low tar” in cigarette ads. In 2003, the plaintiffs won the case, but the $10 billion dollar ruling was reversed by the Illinois Supreme Court.
The case went back to the trial court after a long back and forth battle over how the terms “light” and “low tar” could legally be used.
Eventually, the 10-billion dollar ruling against the tobacco companies was reinstated. Now, nearly 15 years after the lawsuit was originally filed, the Illinois high court will hear the arguments all over again.
Terry James can be reached at terry@wjbc.com.
