Introduction:
The powerful tobacco industry nowadays seems to be defenseless against legal attacks on it. In the past it has successfully faced all legal challenges despite of the fact that the hazard of smoking was widely known. On the contrary anti-tobacco forces kept on accusing them. In recent years, cigarette manufacturers changed their strategies. The tobacco industry is facing heavy criticism these days. They are accused of supporting smuggling of tobacco. They are also being accused of deceiving the customers about the ingredients of the cigarettes and the health hazards associated with them. Marketing drugs to teenagers is also one of the allegations imposed on the tobacco industry. To cope up with these challenges the tobacco manufacturers in many cases now usually decide to settle these lawsuits instead of fighting. In this way they not only keep their profits higher but also keep their investors happy.
Recent Settlements and Cases:
In recent years, the government has ruled out new regulations in order to cope up with the wide spread use of tobacco.
Chief Justice John Marshall established a broad in...
R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
MassachusettsThe Supreme Court and other courts have taken a number of new decisions in this regard. This includes the regulation passed by the Attorney general of Massachusetts, which regulates the advertising and sale of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and cigar. This regulation banned the outdoor advertisement of tobacco products within 1000 feet of a school or public or the playground. Moreover, the regulations also prohibits indoor, point-of-sale advertising of smokeless tobacco and cigars lower than 5 feet from the floor of a retail establishment located within 1,000 feet of a school or playground. (Lorillard Tobacco Co. v. Reilly)
In November 1998, Massachusetts, along with over 40 other States, reached a landmark agreement with major manufacturers in the cigarette industry. The signatory States settled their claims against these companies in...