Tobacco lawsuit: Judge approves reimbursements in Arkansas case

LITTLE ROCK-Reimbursements for consumers who bought Marlboro Lights cigarettes in Arkansas over a 32-year period have been approved as part of a $45 million lawsuit settlement.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that a judge granted preliminary approval for those consumers to receive at least 10 cents per pack as part of their share of the settlement.

Consumers claimed the Marlboro Lights and Ultra-Lights cigarettes were deceptively advertised as being safer than regular cigarettes. An agreement was reached with manufacturer Phillip Morris USA to settle the class-action lawsuit with no admission of wrongdoing by the company.

The company disputed that there was any deliberate deception and wrongdoing. Company officials argued that the cigarettes delivered less tar and nicotine as advertised if they were smoked correctly.

People eligible for the reimbursements purchased the brands between Nov. 1, 1971, when the brands were first introduced, and May 29, 2003, when the final version of the lawsuit was filed.

The amount of the reimbursement will depend on the date of purchase. Applications for reimbursements must be postmarked by Dec. 1, and no receipts are required.

Proof of purchase will be a sworn statement that affirms the applicant's average daily cigarette purchase per year for personal use, along with the name, address and telephone number of a verifying witness. Applicants must also submit the names and locations of three retailers where the cigarettes were purchased.

People who object to the settlement can opt out of the agreement by doing so in writing by Nov. 1. If enough people withdraw from the agreement, Phillip Morris has the option to discontinue the arrangement.

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