Carlisle v. Philip Morris, Inc.

JONES, Justice.

This appeal presents the question of whether the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1331-1341 (1982 & Supp.1990) (“Labeling Act”), preempts state common-law tort claims for injuries or death allegedly suffered as a result of smoking cigarettes. Plaintiffs below were two individuals alleging injuries and two widows alleging wrongful death. 1 Defendants below were various cigarette manufacturers, wholesalers, and related entities. 2 In four separate suits, plaintiffs alleged five causes of action: (1) failure to warn; (2) design defects; (3)…