The three biggest tobacco companies in the U.S. have joined two groups representing New York City merchants to challenge a resolution by the New York City Board of Health forcing stores to place graphic anti- tobacco campaign signs where tobacco products are offered. Altria Group (MO) subsidiary Philip Morris USA Inc., Lorillard Inc. (LO), and Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) unit R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. are involved in the lawsuit with two indivi ... Jump to full article >>

A Connecticut smoker who developed larynx cancer has won $8 million in a lawsuit against a tobacco company, the first such jury verdict in New England, her attorney said Thursday. David Golub, attorney for Barbara Izzarelli of Norwich, said Thursday a federal jury in Bridgeport made the award late Wednesday against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. after a two-week trial. He said a judge will decide additional punitive damages next month which could bri ... Jump to full article >>

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Manufacturing Company and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Brands filed a lawsuit against the city in December over a law approved by the City Council last year that bans the sale of favored tobacco products in the five boroughs. In response to the suit, Council Speaker Christine Quinn, health care advocates and several members of the City Council gathered at City Hall today to let “big tobacco” know they wouldn’t be backing d ... Jump to full article >>

Defending an abortive lawsuit filed by a county commissioner cost Marion County taxpayers about $5,000. In September, Commissioner Wayne Stutler filed suit against his two fellow commissioners, saying they had overstepped their authority by removing a member of the county health board and by postponing a smoking ban. Stutler dropped that suit, saying he didn’t want tax dollars spent on the litigation. Commission President Randy Elliott say ... Jump to full article >>

Attorneys for Wynn Las Vegas are seeking dismissal of a lawsuit claiming its casino workers are exposed to dangerous second-hand tobacco smoke. In court papers filed Friday, Wynn’s attorneys argued: The suit appears to be part of a union campaign involving Wynn casino dealers. Wynn is in compliance with the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act, which specifically allows smoking in casinos. The lawsuit was filed Oct. 20 in federal court in Las Veg ... Jump to full article >>

A cancer-stricken father of three, who lit a Wills Navy Cut for his first puff when he was 16 and got hooked, has taken manufacturers ITC to a consumer court for not warning him about the “dangers” of smoking. In the last stages of throat cancer — and robbed of his voice following a surgery to remove his larynx — customs official Deepak Kumar has sought Rs 1 crore in damages. Kumar, additional customs commissioner of Mumbai, today filed ... Jump to full article >>

Philip Morris Counterfeit Marlboro Lawsuit: Philip Morris USA is accusing 10 New York and New Jersey retailers of selling counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes. Reyes Grocery Store and Sunny’s Supermarket, in Newark, are among the defendants named in litigation brought by the tobacco company. The Henrico County-based cigarette-maker has monitored retail markets for years to keep fake versions of its brands off store shelves. Since May of this y ... Jump to full article >>

Attorney General Marty Jackley announced minutes ago that he and Secretary of State Chris Nelson have decided against appealing the decision of Circuit Judge Kathleen Trandahl in the smoking-ban referendum case. The American Cancer Society doesn’t plan to appeal either. That clears the way for the ban to be referred to a statewide vote on the November 2010 election ballot. Attorney General Marty Jackley announced minutes ago that he and Se ... Jump to full article >>

Richard and Donna Ganguet live in the Four Seasons gated development in El Dorado Hills. They say the neighbor’s tobacco smoke settles in their backyard and seeps in through their windows. Conflict with neighbors was the last thing Donna and Richard Ganguet expected to encounter when they moved into a gated community for people age 55 and older. “In a senior community, you think we’ll all be compatible and have the same values ... Jump to full article >>

Lawsuit claims unsafe conditions on casino floor A Wynn Las Vegas employee is suing the hotel-casino, claiming it is an unsafe workplace because of secondhand smoke. The federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, which seeks class action status, alleges the casino encouraged patrons to light up and disciplined workers if they complained. The court filing by Wynn dealer Kanie Kastroll accuses Wynn Las Vegas of breaching its duty to provide a safe workplace ... Jump to full article >>