Tobacco Industry Wins Ruling in Child Ad Suit

Philip Morris USA, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and other cigarette makers were spared the risk of billions of dollars in damages after a judge rejected a class-action lawsuit on behalf of underage smokers.

U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler ruled that the claims on behalf of millions of young smokers were too diverse to be tried collectively.

Lawyers Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. and Michael Hausfeld filed the suit in 2001 accusing tobacco firms of conspiring to market their products to minors.