Eight "Light" Cigarettes Lawsuits against Philip Morris USA, Altria Group, Inc. Consolidated, Transferred to U.S. District Court, District of Maine, According to Parker Waichman Alonso LLP

GREAT NECK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On September 10, 2009, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) entered a Transfer Order consolidating eight "light" cigarettes lawsuits in a Multidistrict Litigation and transferring them to the U.S. District Court, District of Maine for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings (MDL No. 2068). The Light Cigarettes Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation will be presided over by the Honorable John A. Woodcock, Jr.

In the Transfer Order, the Panel noted that all eight lawsuits share factual issues as to whether Philip Morris and/or Altria engaged in deceptive marketing of their light cigarettes and/or manipulated the design of those cigarettes to deliver more tar and nicotine when smoked than when tested by the government. The Panel found that centralization in the District of Maine will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of the litigation. An initial conference will be scheduled in the near future.

One of the eight lawsuits included in the Light Cigarettes Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation was filed by Parker Waichman Alonso LLP on behalf of a man who suffered economic damages as a result of misrepresentations made about Marlboro Lights cigarettes marketed by Philip Morris USA. The class action lawsuit was initially filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (Docket Number: 08-CV-5085). The lawsuit alleges that as early as 1971, Philip Morris USA deceptively marketed Marlboro Lights cigarettes as a less dangerous alternative to regular cigarettes. It further alleges that Philip Morris USA falsely claimed that Marlboro Lights had "Lowered Tar and Nicotine," even though the company knew those cigarettes would not deliver less tar or nicotine to the consumer.

"Light" cigarettes are designed in such a way that air is mixed with and dilutes the smoke drawn through the filter. This produces a lower measurement of tar and nicotine for "lights" as compared to regular cigarettes when undergoing standardized testing by the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") testing apparatus -- automated smoking machines used by the tobacco industry to measure tar and nicotine levels in cigarettes. Research has shown, however, that smokers who switch to "light" cigarettes from regular cigarettes compensate for the lower nicotine level by inhaling more deeply; taking larger, more rapid, or more frequent puffs; or by increasing the number of cigarettes smoked per day.

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP continues to offer free case evaluations to consumers who purchased light cigarette through the firm's Web site at www.yourlawyer.com. Free case evaluations are also available by calling 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).

About Parker Waichman Alonso LLP

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP is a leading personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York, New Jersey and Florida. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP has assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from defective products, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

For more information on Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, please visit: www.yourlawyer.com or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).