Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation
The causation theory centers on the misleading marketing of 'natural' and 'additive-free' tobacco products by Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company. Courts and scientific analyses suggest that these claims falsely imply reduced health risks, leading consumers to use these products under the belief they are safer. Despite marketing claims, scientific evidence indicates that 'natural' cigarettes contain harmful substances similar to conventional cigarettes, contributing to health conditions such as lung cancer, COPD, and cardiovascular diseases. Regulatory actions by the FDA have challenged these claims, emphasizing that all tobacco products pose health risks regardless of marketing language.
17
Pending actions
17
Total actions filed
Active
Status
04/11/2016
Established
Filing deadline
No specific filing deadlines or statutes of limitations are publicly documented for MDL-2695. The case remains active, with procedural deadlines governed by court scheduling orders, including an upcoming case management conference scheduled for May 24, 2026.
Who qualifies
Plaintiffs are eligible if they can demonstrate documented use or exposure to Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company's 'Natural American Spirit' cigarettes during a period prior to filing, often within a specified timeframe. Medical diagnosis of tobacco-related health conditions is typically required. The criteria focus on proof of purchase or consumption and a causal link between marketing claims and health injuries, with no explicit minimum frequency or dosage specified.
Products involved
- Natural American Spirit cigarettes
Alleged injuries
- Lung cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Other tobacco-related illnesses
Bellwether trials
The initial bellwether trial scheduled for May 24, 2026, indicates ongoing proceedings with active case management. A recent defense verdict in 2024 involved a claim seeking $170 million, but specific recent verdicts are limited, and no new verdicts have been publicly reported since then. The case remains active with pending actions.
Lead counsel
- Scott P. Schlesinger (Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A.)
- Jonathan Gdanski
- Jeffrey Louis Haberman
This page is generated from the official JPML pending-MDL report and public court records, refreshed monthly. It is provided for attorney reference and is not legal advice.
