Public health groups file petition with U.S,. Supreme Court..

February 23, 2010 - On Friday, February 19th the U.S. federal govt and 3-cigarette makers separately asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a racketeering verdict against major tobacco companies that was upheld by an appeals court last year.

To coincide with the above request six public health groups (American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, the National African American Tobacco Prevention Network and the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund) filed a petition asking the U. S. Supreme Court to authorize a trial court to require major cigarette manufacturers to pay for a broad public education campaign against smoking, as well as programs to help smokers quit. The groups also asked that the trial court be empowered to require the tobacco companies to forfeit profits they made during decades of illegal activity.

Reference: Health Groups Ask Supreme Court to Authorize Financial Penalties on Tobacco Companies for Decades of Wrongdoing, SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, PR Newswire - SunHerald.com, 2/22/2010.