Ban on 'light' cigarettes

Washington - A federal appeals court has largely endorsed a landmark ruling that found cigarette makers deceived the American public for decades about the health hazards of smoking.

The US Court of Appeals in Washington on Friday upheld major elements of a 2006 ruling that found the nation's top tobacco companies guilty of fraud and violating racketeering laws.

The ruling said manufacturers must change the way they market cigarettes. It bans labels such as "low tar," "light," "ultra light" or "mild," since such cigarettes have been found to be no safer than others because of how people smoke them.

It also says the companies must publish "corrective statements" on the adverse health effects and addictiveness of smoking and nicotine.

- Sapa-AP