Massachusetts Marlboro Lights Settlement

Shapiro Haber & Urmy LLP represents a certified class of Massachusetts residents and other regular purchasers from neighboring states who bought Marlboro Lights cigarettes in Massachusetts between approximately 1994 and 1998. The consumers challenged the labeling of such cigarettes as "Lights" and delivering "Lowered Tar and Nicotine" as false and misleading, in violation of the Massachusetts consumer protection statute.

Following a five week trial in late 2015, the Court found that by making health reassurance claims about Marlboro Lights, Philip Morris engaged in willful and knowing violations of the Massachusetts consumer protection laws. The Court awarded the Class damages in the statutory of $4,942,500, plus prejudgment interest calculated at the rate of 12% per year starting on November 25, 1998.  To read the Court’s Findings of Fact and Conclusions of law please click here.

On April 26, 2016, the parties reached a proposed settlement of this case that will be reviewed by the Court at a hearing on September 29, 2016.  Under the proposed settlement, Philip Morris has agreed to pay the Class the full amount that was awarded by the Court after the trial, which totals $15,273,815.  If the settlement is approved, Class members who submit valid and timely Claim Forms will receive equal shares of the net recovery, up to a maximum amount of $225 per Class member.

To learn more about the settlement and how to submit a Class Form, please visit the settlement website:  www.MALightsSettlement.com.