St. Louis Jury Sides With Philip Morris in Tobacco Suit

A St. Louis jury has sided with tobacco giant Philip Morris in a class-action lawsuit that sought about $1.5 billion.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports reports that the suit alleged the company deceived smokers by claiming light cigarettes were safer than regular cigarettes.

The jury sided with the company after deliberating less than an hour Thursday following a month-long trial.

The outcome would have impacted Missouri smokers who used Marlboro Lights from Feb. 14, 1995, through Dec. 31, 2003.

It was the second time a St. Louis jury heard the case. A 2011 trial ended with the jury deadlocked 8-4 in favor of the plaintiff. Nine votes are needed for a civil case verdict in Missouri.