Missouri Residents who Bought Marlboro Lights Cigarettes Between February 14,1995 and December 31, 2003, Could Be Affected by a Class Action Lawsuit

ST. LOUIS, June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by Swedlow & Associates, Korein Tillery, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, and Newman Bronson & Wallisare:

A class action lawsuit about whether Philip Morris USA Inc. misled consumers about Marlboro Lights cigarettes has been certified to proceed.  The lawsuit is called Craft v. Philip Morris Companies, Inc. and it is pending in the Missouri Circuit Court, Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit.

You are a Class Member if you were a resident of Missouri between February 14, 1995 and December 31, 2003; and purchased and consumed Marlboro Lights cigarettes in Missouri during that time; and have not filed a claim for personal injury resulting from the purchase or consumption of cigarettes.

The lawsuit concerns two principal issues:

(1) Whether the Defendant misled people about the amount of tar and nicotine they would receive from smoking Marlboro Lights cigarettes and the dangers of smoking Marlboro Lights cigarettes versus regular cigarettes; and

(2) Whether people overpaid for Marlboro Lights as a result of these alleged misrepresentations.

Plaintiffs seek money damages related to the purchase of Marlboro Lights cigarettes and punitive damages.  This case does not seek to recover for personal injury or addiction. Defendant denies these claims and allegations and that Plaintiffs are entitled to damages. The Court has not decided whether the Class or Philip Morris USA Inc. is right.  No money is available now.  The lawyers for the Class will have to prove their claims at a trial currently set to begin on September 6, 2011.

Lawyers from five law firms represent Class Members as “Class Counsel.”  Class Members don’t have to pay Class Counsel, or anyone else, to participate.  Class Members may hire their own lawyer to appear in Court for them at their own expense.

Class Members do not have to do anything at this time to remain in the Class.  By remaining in the Class, they will be bound by all the Court’s decisions in the case.  If the case later is resolved in favor of the Class, they may be able to make a claim.  But they cannot sue Philip Morris USA for any of the claims in this lawsuit in the future.

Class Members who do not wish to remain in the Class must send a letter requesting to be excluded.  The letter must be sent to Litigation Administrator, c/o Rust Consulting, PO Box 2299, Faribault, MN 55021-2434 and postmarked no later than August 23, 2011.  Class Members who exclude themselves can sue Defendant on their own.  But, they will not be able to make a claim for money in this case if it is resolved favorably for the Class in the future.

This is only a summary.  For a detailed Notice or more information, call toll-free 1-877-740-6998, visit www.MOCigaretteCase.com, or write to Litigation Administrator, c/o Rust Consulting, PO Box 2299, Faribault, MN 55021-2434.

SOURCE Swedlow & Associates, Korein Tillery, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, and Newman Bronson & Wallisare