United States v. Philip Morris USA, et al.

In 1999, the United States filed a lawsuit against the major cigarette manufacturers and related trade organizations alleging that defendants fraudulently misled American consumers for decades about the risks and dangers of cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke in violation of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). In 2006, the court found that defendants violated civil provisions of RICO and that there was a reasonable likelihood that defendants would continue to violate RICO in the future. On appeal, the district court’s findings were upheld, in part, vacated, in part, and remanded, in part, to the district court. After the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear appeals from both sides in the case in June 2010, the district court began to implement the 2006 final order.

Several defendants filed a motion to stay the 2006 final order pending appeal. The court denied the motion for stay of judgment, finding, among other things, that the public interest as well as the potential future harm to youth targeted by cigarette advertisements and to people exposed to tobacco smoke militated against postponing implementation of the final order.

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United States v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., et al., 449 F. Supp. 2d 988, United States District Court for the District of Columbia (2006).

  • United States
  • Sep 28, 2006
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Parties

Plaintiff United States of America

Defendant

  • Philip Morris USA, Inc. (f/k/a Philip Morris, Inc.)
  • Others

Third Party

  • American Cancer Society
  • American Heart Association
  • American Lung Association
  • Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights
  • National African American Tobacco Prevention Network
  • Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund

Legislation Cited

Related Documents

Type of Litigation

Tobacco Control Topics

Substantive Issues

Type of Tobacco Product

None