Marlboro Lights Class Action Settlement

Philip Morris agreed to pay more than $15 million to settle a class action lawsuit that accused the cigarette maker of falsely representing Marlboro Lights as “safer” than Regular Marlboros.

The settlement amount reflects the court awarded $4.9 million, as well as prejudgment interest of $10.3 million.

According to the class action lawsuit, Philip Morris willfully violated Massachusetts consumer protection laws by using words such as “lights” and “lowered tar and nicotine” on packages of Marlboro Lights cigarettes.

The lawsuit alleged that Phillip Morris knew that Marlboro Lights didn’t have significantly lower tar and were therefore no less harmful to smokers than Regular Marlboros yet intentionally used deceptive wording that indicated otherwise.

Class Members include all Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island or Vermont residents who purchased Marlboro Lights regularly within the State of Massachusetts between Nov. 25, 1994 and Nov. 25, 1998.

If the settlement is granted final approval, Class Members who file a Claim Form will be unable to bring any further accusations against Philip Morris (and its affiliated companies) regarding Marlboro Light purchases made within Massachusetts.

Those who wish to object or opt out of the Marlboro class action settlement must do so by Aug. 19, 2016.

Who’s Eligible

Marlboro Lights class action settlement Class Members include all Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island or Vermont residents who purchased Marlboro Lights regularly within the State of Massachusetts between Nov. 25, 1994 and Nov. 25, 1998.

Potential Award

$75 – $225

Philip Morris has agreed to pay more than $15 million to settle the Marlboro Lights class action lawsuit.

Those who submit valid and timely claims will receive a equal share of the settlement up to a maximum of $225. If every Class Member files a Claim Form, the Settlement Administrator estimates that individuals will get about $75.

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Class Members don’t have to include a proof of purchase but they must submit a Claim Form no later than Nov. 28, 2016 to receive benefit from this class action lawsuit.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Class Members who would prefer mailing in their Claim Form can download a printable version here!

Claim Form Deadline

11/28/2016

Case Name

Thomas Geanacopoulos v. Philip Morris USA Inc., Civil Action No. 98-6002-BLS1, in the Massachusetts Superior Court

Final Hearing

09/29/2016

UPDATE: On Sept. 30, 2016, the court granted the Massachusetts Marlboro Lights settlement final approval.

UPDATE 2: According to the settlement website, settlement checks were mailed on March 13, 2017.  Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our  Facebook page.

UPDATE 3: On March 15, 2017, Top Class Actions viewers started receiving Marlboro Lights class action settlement checks worth as much as $225! 

Settlement Website

www.MALightsSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Massachusetts Marlboro Lights Settlement
c/o Analytics
P.O. Box 2003
Chanhassen, MN 55317-2003
(844) 836-3605
claims@MALightsSettlement.com

Class Counsel

Thomas V. Urmy, Jr.
SHAPIRO HABER & URMY LLP

Defense Counsel

Kenneth J. Parsigian
LATHAM & WATKINS LLP