Light cigarette case against tobacco companies dismissed

The District Court of Helsinki has dismissed the so-called light cigarette case against Amer and British American Tobacco Nordic. Three women sued the tobacco companies for misleading marketing that implied light cigarettes to be less harmful than other cigarettes. The Cancer Society of Finland put out a press release on October 15th speculating the dismissal of charges.

The Cancer Society of Finland underlines the fact that the tobacco industry is responsible for its products that are proved highly addictive and dangerous. The so-called light cigarettes are just as harmful to health as all the other cigarettes. The marketing of these products were based on the idea that it was a "healthier" way to smoke, boosted by a visual look of the product that gave out the idea of healthier smoking. Apart from misleading marketing, questions were also raised on how the tobacco industry has made an effort to make cigarettes further addictive. Professor emeritus Erkki Aurejärvi along with a set of lawyers organized the court case. Professor Aurejärvi also organized the first case against the tobacco industry in 1988 which the industry also won.

Tobacco causes 5 500 deaths every year in Finland. 90 % of lung cancer cases are directly attributed to smoking. The Cancer Society of Finland pressed the fact that the industry is accountable for its products and that the consumers should be aware of it. Court cases are an important factor in settling the matter of responsibility. Consumers still underestimate the health risks of smoking, according to the press release.    

Source:

The Cancer Society of Finland Press release October 10, 2010 www.cancer.fi