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Supreme Court Ruling Ends Marlboro Lights Lawsuit

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court says a class-action lawsuit against the maker of Marlboro Lights cannot go forward because it is barred by the state's 1998 tobacco settlement.

Wednesday's decision reverses an earlier Appeals Court ruling — and brings the lawsuit against Philip Morris to an end.

The lawsuit was filed in 2001 and claimed the maker of Marlboro Lights used deceptive trade practices and false advertising when it marketed its cigarettes as "light."

In its decision Wednesday, the Supreme Court says as part of Minnesota's $6.1 billion settlement with the tobacco industry, the state released Philip Morris from claims that were asserted in the state lawsuit.

Two justices disagreed with the majority opinion.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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