US top court rejects tobacco industry in Florida case

WASHINGTON, Oct 1 (Reuters) The US Supreme Court said today it rejected a tobacco industry appeal on two issues in a Florida class action case which has already resulted in a 145 billion dollar punitive award against the cigarette makers being overturned.

The industry appealed the ruling by the Florida Supreme Court last year that jury findings -- including deception by the companies and that they were negligent -- could be used in individual lawsuits by the former class members.

In the other issue appealed to the nation's highest court, the industry said the generalized jury findings rested on evidence, arguments and theories of liability that were preempted by a federal law, the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act.

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