The Illinois Supreme Court will rehear the suit by Sharon Price and others against Philip Morris USA that resulted in a USD 10.1 billion (EUR 8.9 billion) judgement against the cigarette maker in 2003, said WQAD television.

Central to the case is the use of “light” and “low tar” as descriptors on cigarette packaging, a practise permitted under certain circumstances until the Federal Trade Commission in 2008 disallowed all such descriptions, the broadcaster said. Oral arguments scheduled for 19 May mark the second time the state high court has taken up the case.