The Minnesota court of appeals has revived a previously dismissed lawsuit claiming deceptive marketing by tobacco companies.

The decision, which was reached on Tuesday, will allow Michael Dahl and David Huber to sue R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company over its marketing of light, or 'lowered tar,' filtered cigarettes. The lawsuit seeks class-action status.
The men say marketing claims by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. violate state consumer fraud laws and were misleading about the level of tar and nicotine.
The unanimous three-judge panel revived a case dismissed by a Hennepin County district judge in 2005 on the grounds that federal law bars states from regulating cigarette labeling and advertising.
Similar lawsuits against other major tobacco companies are to on their way as well. All cases challenge the former claims that ‘light’ or ‘low tar’ cigarettes actually have decreased tar and nicotine.
David Howard, a spokesman for R.J. Reynolds, said the company plans to ask the Minnesota Supreme Court to review the appeals court decision. (pi)