Trending...
- City Council invites community engagement: Volunteer for Colorado Springs Boards, Commissions, and Committees
- Colorado: Governor Polis: With New Tariffs, Trump Raises Costs for Americans, Hurts Allies
- Robin Launches Legal Intelligence Platform to solve intelligence gap in Fortune 500 legal teams
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Discount cigarette manufacturers Liggett Group LLC, Vector Tobacco Inc. and deep discount cigarette manufacturer Xcaliber International Ltd., together with a Colorado citizen and cigarette smoker, today announced that they have filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against the State of Colorado in United States Federal Court. The motion seeks to enjoin Colorado from enforcing the recently enacted Colorado minimum cigarette price requirement, which would drastically raise retail cigarette prices for Colorado consumers to premium brand levels.
The motion alleges that the requirement was inserted into a cigarette tax increase bill solely to secure support for the bill from Philip Morris, the largest U.S. seller of premium cigarettes such as Marlboro, which, in the past, had spent millions of dollars successfully opposing previous tax increases. Along with Colorado cigarette retailers, Philip Morris will reap huge benefits from the new legislation because the minimum price requirement will eliminate price competition from companies that sell discount and deep discount cigarettes and destroy their ability to compete in Colorado.
More on Colorado Desk
The motion also alleges that the minimum price requirement violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution by favoring Colorado retailers' in-state economic interests over the interests of out-of-state discount manufacturers. Further, in violation of the Colorado Constitution, the minimum price requirement was not properly disclosed to Colorado voters who approved the bill on Election Day. Voters believed that the tax increases would benefit education and other public purposes, when in fact all of the benefit of the minimum price provision will go to retailers, Philip Morris and other premium cigarette manufacturers, and none to the State of Colorado.
The motion can be seen by clicking here.
The plaintiffs are represented by Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP and the Denver firm, Maven Law Group.
The motion alleges that the requirement was inserted into a cigarette tax increase bill solely to secure support for the bill from Philip Morris, the largest U.S. seller of premium cigarettes such as Marlboro, which, in the past, had spent millions of dollars successfully opposing previous tax increases. Along with Colorado cigarette retailers, Philip Morris will reap huge benefits from the new legislation because the minimum price requirement will eliminate price competition from companies that sell discount and deep discount cigarettes and destroy their ability to compete in Colorado.
More on Colorado Desk
- Jones Law Firm, P.C. Empowers Denver Parents Through Expert Legal Paternity Representation
- We Did It: The Kids Wheel Is Officially Coming to Life
- Athlete Website Builder by TopFans Empowers Sports Professionals Worldwide
- Manage Fan Subscriptions Platform Empowers Creators With Direct Fan Monetization
- Music Fan Engagement Platform TopFans Launches to Empower Musicians and Artists
The motion also alleges that the minimum price requirement violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution by favoring Colorado retailers' in-state economic interests over the interests of out-of-state discount manufacturers. Further, in violation of the Colorado Constitution, the minimum price requirement was not properly disclosed to Colorado voters who approved the bill on Election Day. Voters believed that the tax increases would benefit education and other public purposes, when in fact all of the benefit of the minimum price provision will go to retailers, Philip Morris and other premium cigarette manufacturers, and none to the State of Colorado.
The motion can be seen by clicking here.
The plaintiffs are represented by Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP and the Denver firm, Maven Law Group.
Filed Under: Business
0 Comments
Latest on Colorado Desk
- What Makes Apple Grove Dental a Trusted Name for Dental Implants in Colorado Springs
- GreenPal Empowers Lawn Care Pros Leveraging AI, Surpasses 5 Million Transactions
- Colorado: Governor Polis Verbally Declares Disaster Declaration For Wildfires in Montrose, Delta and Mesa County
- Santa Monica Businesses Push Back on Bus Stop Relocation That Threatens Access and Safety
- Chaddrick Thomas Launches Two Inspiring New Podcasts:
- Dr. Gregory A. Thomas Launches Bold New Podcast, Real Talk with Dr. Gregory A. Thomas
- Colorado Springs celebrates one year of Pikes Peak Rising, a community-powered movement for mental health
- Colorado Springs: Ramona Avenue at South Nevada Avenue to close on Monday
- Colorado Springs: Northbound Tejon Street to reopen on block downtown
- City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County invite public to open houses for Housing Needs Assessment
- Colorado Springs: Did you know? — Evergreen Cemetery's Roses
- The Blue Luna Encourages Local Schools to Take Steps to Enhance Safety for Students and Staff
- The Sessions Studios Secures $300 Million Commitment to Launch World-Class Studio and 15-Film Global Slate
- Smart Resnse Unveils Smart Resnse(SRMS) Token-Powered AI Orchestration Platform to Revolutionize Multi-Billion Dollar Market
- Josh and Heidi Follow Up the Much Anticipated and Successful Launch of the "Spreading the Good BUZZ" Podcast with a Personal Request
- Revolutionary Blockchain Platform Okh Finance Announces Okh Finance(OKKH) Token Launch to Transform Global Asset Leasing Market
- Cover Girl Finalist Teisha Mechetti Questions Legitimacy of Inked Originals Competition, Demands Transparency
- Faex Health Unveils AI Powered Fiber and Supplement Detection for Smarter Gut Health Insights
- Colorado Springs parks enhance economic growth, over 20 million visitors last year
- VSURY Launches in Denver, Redefining Website Design and Development for the Modern Brand