[Intl-tobacco] What other jurisdictions are doing about light and mild cigarettes

[Robert Weissman]

What other jurisdictions are doing about ‘light’ and ‘mild’
cigarettes

by 
Source: Non-Smokers’ Rights Association/Smoking and Health Action
Foundation, 2002-05-27, via tobacco.org
Region:CANADA
Category: International
URL:
http://www.nsra-adnf.ca/english/lmpconfmay2002/lmbackabroad.html

Brazil

As of January 2002, the terms ‘light’, ‘mild’, ‘low-tar’ and the
like are illegal in Brazil: the Brazilian government followed
through rapidly on recommendations from World Health Organization
experts by adopting a series of regulations last year. 

Europe

In July 2001, the European Union adopted a directive which will see
all 15 member countries ban misleading cigarette descriptors at the
latest by 2003. British-American Tobacco, the parent company of
Canada’s Imperial Tobacco, is challenging the directive in court. 

Australia

In early 2002, the head of the Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission said the commission was considering an investigation
into whether tobacco companies violated that country’s Trade
Practices Act through mislabelling of cigarettes. The commission is
in the midst of a broader investigation of the tobacco industry. 

Israel

In June 2001, a major health insurance fund filed a lawsuit against
tobacco companies, alleging that ‘light’ and ‘mild’ are a consumer
deception. A few months later, the Israeli Commerce and Trade
Ministry said it was conducting a criminal investigation into the
industry’s practices. 

United States

In March 2002, a jury in Oregon ordered Philip Morris to pay $150
million to the estate of a victim of lung cancer who had smoked a
so-called ‘low-tar’ brand of cigarettes. (Schwartz v. Philip
Morris)

Class action lawsuits have also been filed in Massachusetts and
Illinois, based on accusations of consumer fraud in the marketing
of ‘light’ and ‘mild’ cigarettes.