Philip Morris challenged the Department of Agriculture's decision to use tax rates from 2003 instead of current tax rates. In this decision, the court concluded that the decision was a permissible interpretation of the statute. Nothing from the text of the statute or in Congress's actions indicated that the Department intended otherwise, or that the Department's interpretation was unreasonable. The court affirmed the district court's grant of the Department's motion for summary judgment.
Tobacco companies or front groups may challenge any legislative or regulatory measure that affects their business interests. Unlike public interest litigation, these cases seek to weaken health measures. These cases frequently involve the industry proceeding against the government. For example, a group of restaurant owners challenging a smoke free law as unconstitutional.
Philip Morris challenged the Department of Agriculture's decision to use tax rates from 2003 instead of current tax rates. In this decision, the court concluded that the decision was a permissible interpretation of the statute. Nothing from the text of the statute or in Congress's actions indicated that the Department intended otherwise, or that the Department's interpretation was unreasonable. The court affirmed the district court's grant of the Department's motion for summary judgment.