Judge Rebuffs Tobacco Industry’s Argument in Longstanding Lawsuit

A federal judge this week refused to end a case between the U.S. Justice Department and a group of tobacco companies, calling the arguments of cigarette makers “simply unconvincing.” The companies argued that the judge lost jurisdiction of the case due to a 2009 law that gave the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco, Reuters reports.

The case was originated in 1999 by the Clinton Administration, which said tobacco companies were guilty of racketeering due to their deception about tobacco’s safety. In 2006, Judge Gladys Kessler ruled that tobacco companies were guilty of racketeering. She also ruled that companies could no longer use terms such as ‘low tar’ or ‘light’ in their marketing. Judge Kessler said on Wednesday that she will retain jurisdiction over the case, despite the 2009 law.