Delivery Sales Ban and Tobacco Litigation
- TPB International, LLC Press Release
- TPB International, LLC Assurance of Discontinuance
- Zenvesco Assurance of Discontinuance
- Christopher Moreau and Fired-Up Tobacco Complaint
- McIsaac and Bairos New England Distribution LLC Complaint
- McIsaac and Bairos New England Distribution LLC Consent Decree Order and Final Judgment
- Habana Smoke Shop Consent Decree
- Habana Smoke Shop Press Release
- Stuff Your Own.com Consent Decree
- Stuff Your Own.com Press Release
- All Of Our Butts Consent Decree
- All Of Our Butts Press Release
- Cheap Smokes by Mail Default Judgment
- American Thrust Entry of Default Judgment and Order
- Fired-Up Tobacco Consent Decree, Final Order and Judgment
2005 - 2013 "Eclipse" Litigation
On July 26, 2005, Attorney General William Sorrell sued tobacco product manufacturer R.J. Reynolds for consumer fraud and violation of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. Vermont is collaborating in this matter with attorneys from other States’ AG offices and with NAAG. The lawsuit charges that Reynolds’ advertising for its “Eclipse” brand cigarettes—claiming that smoking Eclipse cigarettes is less harmful than smoking other brands of cigarettes—violates Vermont’s consumer protection statutes, and also the Master Settlement Agreement, which prohibits the tobacco companies from making material misrepresentations regarding the health consequences of tobacco products.
The case was tried over a period of five weeks in the fall of 2009, with the Court issuing a ruling in March 2010. The Court found that R.J. Reynolds’ advertising claims of a “reduced risk” cigarette were deceptive and misleading, in violation of Vermont’s Consumer Fraud Act and the Master Settlement Agreement. On June 3, 2013, the Court issued a final judgment that requires R.J. Reynolds to pay the State of Vermont $8,328,000 in penalties, and permanently prohibits the company from making "risk reduction" claims for its tobacco products without supporting studies that have been accepted by the scientific community.
- Order Denying RJR’s Motion for Summary Judgment
- Vermont's Complaint and Petition
- March 10, 2010 Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
- Final Judgment Regarding Injunctive Relief and Penalties
- Press Release
Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company - Assurance of Voluntary Compliance
Organic Tobacco Does Not Mean A Safer Cigarette! The Attorney General reached a settlement with the maker of Natural American Spirit brand tobacco products that requires the company to disclose that "Organic tobacco does NOT mean a safer cigarette" in its advertising. The settlement became effective on March 1, 2010.
1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and Implementation
- Master Settlement Agreement
- Tobacco Settlement Highlights
- Vermont Consent Decree
- Vermont Attorney General Announces Tobacco Settlement
- National News Release
- Breakdown of State MSA Dollars