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Americans Split on Light Cigarette Court Ruling
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in the United States are divided over a recent Supreme Court decision, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 42 per cent of respondents believe smokers should be able to sue tobacco makers for advertising claims related to light cigarettes, while 45 per cent disagree.
In addition, 22 per cent of respondents believe cigarette companies should be held financially liable for health problems that develop if someone smokes a cigarette today.
On Dec. 15, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled—in a 5-4 decision—that smokers can seek legal action against tobacco companies in state court for making fraudulent claims related to light cigarettes, which purportedly have lower tar and nicotine levels. Justice John Paul Stevens wrote that the companies that sold these products had a "duty not to deceive" the public through advertising or marketing.
In November 1998, America’s seven-largest tobacco companies agreed to a $206 billion U.S. settlement with 46 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories in order to end legal action over the health care costs of smoking.
Polling Data
The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that smokers could sue tobacco makers for advertising claims over so-called "light" cigarettes that they claim are fraudulent. Do you agree or disagree with this ruling?
|
Agree |
42% |
|
Disagree |
45% |
|
Not sure |
12% |
If someone smokes cigarettes today, should cigarette companies be held financially liable for health problems that develop?
|
Yes |
22% |
|
No |
71% |
|
Not sure |
8% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 likely American voters, conducted on Dec. 15 and Dec. 16, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
