The "Lights Cigarettes Case" is a nationwide class action filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and seeking recovery for damage to U.S. residents who purchased so-called "light" cigarettes from the major tobacco manufacturers.

The complaint alleges that - since the 1950s, when initial links between smoking and ill health were being solidified – defendants and various industry organizations formed an "enterprise" in order to protect cigarette profits.  In particular, defendants marketed and sold light cigarettes as delivering lower levels of harmful tar and nicotine when smoked despite internal knowledge to the contrary. Defendants' actions are alleged to have resulted in enormous profits to the tobacco industry, both from overpayment for "light" cigarettes and from the maintenance of a light cigarette market that would otherwise have been a fraction of its current size.

In September, 2006, the federal district court certified a nationwide class consisting of United States residents who have purchased cigarettes labeled as "Lights" and/or "Light" (collectively "light cigarettes") that were manufactured by Defendants prior to the date trial commences .  You can review the class certification decision, view the press release regarding class certification or read the frequently asked questions regarding this litigation. Defendants have appealed the class certification decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the trial has been stayed pending that appeal.  Oral arguments on the appeal were heard July 10, 2007.  If the class certification decision is upheld by the Second Circuit, the lower court will set a trial date.  Please periodically check our website for updates on this case.