Legal

State

Tobacco companies rejected by high court in Florida case (FL)
The United States Supreme Court rejected an appeal by tobacco companies to hear a case involving a precedent set by the Florida Supreme Court in 2006, which states that factual findings against the tobacco industry in class-action lawsuits can be applied to individual suits as well. The suit was filed in Florida by the family of Charlotte Douglas after Ms. Douglas died of lung cancer in 2008 at age 62, and $2.5 million was awarded to the plaintiffs. In part because of the precedent this case set, Florida residents have been awarded an estimated $500 million in cases against manufacturers of tobacco products. The Supreme Court’s decision will make it easier for Florida plaintiffs, including those from the 4,500 pending cases in that state relating to tobacco use, to continue to collect damages from the tobacco industry. To read more, click here.

N.Y. state parks outdoor smoking ban is blocked by court (NY)
A judge permanently blocked a decision made by the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to eliminate smoking in outdoor areas of state parks. Supreme Court Justice George B. Ceresia Jr. of the Country of Rensselaer ruled that New York state law does not allow the parks office to make such a decision itself. In response to the ruling, The Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation issued a statement asserting the right to implement such restrictions, and a state Attorney General spokesperson said that their office is reviewing the decision with parks officials. The lawsuit was initially filed by the organization New York City Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment in April after the state parks office adopted a policy allowing outdoor smoke-free zones to be designated in 179 state parks and 35 historical sites. Click here to read more.

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