The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has placed a hold on sanctions against the tobacco industry which would have banned the use of phrases such as 'low tar' and 'light'.

In a motion filed by Altria Group's Philip Morris USA and other US cigarette makers, the industry won a delay on changes imposed by US District Judge Gladys Kessler in August, after she found the companies violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act (RICO) in a decades-long conspiracy.
Altria Associate General Counsel William Ohlemeyer says, "The company believes the trial court's decision is contrary to the law and facts presented during trial, and looks forward to the opportunity to present its arguments to the appellate court."
According to Reuters, Kessler said in her 1,653-page opinion that the companies suppressed research, destroyed documents and manipulated nicotine levels to perpetuate addiction, but a ruling by the same appeals court prevented her from slapping the companies with costly remedies. (pi)