Contact: Amaya Smith
202.965.3500, ext. 8369
AAJ Lauds U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision to Uphold Consumers’ Rights in State Courts
Court Rules Against Complete Immunity for Cigarette ManufacturersWashington, DC—The American Association for Justice (AAJ) today lauded a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Altria v. Good to deny immunity for cigarette manufacturers who violate state consumer protection laws with false claims of lowered tar and nicotine.
AAJ President Les Weisbrod issued the following statement:
“Today’s decision is a victory for consumers and affirms that cigarette manufacturers cannot claim immunity from consumer fraud when they claim their products have lowered tar and nicotine levels, even though they do not. State laws have an important role to play in helping the federal government police false claims, and today’s decision supports that role.”
“We hope that the court continues to look at claims of corporate immunity from the perspective of consumer health and safety and continues to support the rights of consumers to get justice through the courts.”

