Legal

National

Colorado court rules ‘no smoking’ means exactly that, even on stage
A Colorado court ruled that banning cigarette smoking during theatric performances does not sufficiently interfere with actors’ First Amendment right of free expression.  Some states’ smoking laws specifically state that tobacco smoking on stage is unacceptable, so actors skirt the laws by smoking herbal cigarettes that contain no tobacco instead.  However, according to the Colorado court’s decision, theatrical smoking of any substance is prohibited. The court also reasoned that theater is an art of make-believe, and just as murder and the use of illegal substances do not actually occur on stage, neither should smoking.  Click here for the full article.

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International

Nigerian court summons tobacco giant
After the tobacco giant Philip Morris refused to be served court documents three times, the Nigerian government plans to publish a summons for the lawsuit in a Swiss newspaper.  The Nigerian government is accusing tobacco companies British American Tobacco PLC, Philip Morris International Inc., and International Tobacco Ltd. of breaking a legal contract that prohibits tobacco advertising from targeting youths.  Nigeria is seeking monetary compensation of $44 billion for public health damages done by the companies.  Through this lawsuit, the government is also working toward stricter regulation of tobacco advertisements and a law prohibiting tobacco sales to minors.  Read more here.

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