On January 12, 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court accepted the petition of the Altria Group Inc., the parent company of Phillip Morris. The company have said that its advertising is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, and that made it a “person acting under” a federal officer. The court approves the transfer of the cigarette case, Watson v. Philip Morris, to federal courts.
The case set off when consumers alleged that the company had violated the state's deceptive-advertising law with claims about its "light" cigarettes. The case originally started in Arkansas followed by similar class-action lawsuits filed around the country.
The Bush administration said it disagreed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit ruling upholding the lower court's decision.
Nevertheless, Solicitor General Paul D. Clement had recommended the Supreme Court not take the case, saying it did not warrant the court's review.
Those who sued said the move to federal court denies the right of states to be the primary forum for adjudicating state laws.