WASHINGTON — A federal judge Friday prohibited top tobacco companies from marketing cigarettes overseas as "low tar" and "light," in a move applauded by anti-smoking activists.

But U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler declined to apply internationally an earlier decision ordering companies to post signs in U.S. stores saying such cigarettes are dangerous and addictive and that tobacco companies have manipulated them to deliver nicotine to smokers.

In a landmark lawsuit brought by the government, Kessler ruled on Aug. 17, 2006, that the country's top cigarette makers violated racketeering laws and deceived the public for years about the health hazards of smoking.

She ordered the companies to stop using terms such as "light" on their products.

After the decision, the companies asked Kessler to allow them to use the marketing overseas, a request she rejected on Friday.

There is no justification for concluding that Congress intended to allow the tobacco companies "to tell the rest of the world that 'low tar/light' cigarettes are less harmful to health when they are prohibited from making such fraudulent representations to the American public," Kessler wrote.

It will set "a very important precedent" if the courts uphold the judge's decision on "low tar" and "light" marketing internationally, said Matt Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, an intervenor in the case.

Lawyers for the companies said banning the use of the low-tar descriptors in foreign countries would be an unwarranted intrusion on the rights of those nations to regulate cigarette sales within their own borders.

The judge's decision is "contrary to the law," Philip Morris USA Inc. and its parent, Altria Group Inc., said in a statement. The judge's latest ruling completes the case in her court and the companies now will appeal. Kessler's judgment is delayed pending the appeal.

In her opinion Friday, the judge said it would be inappropriate to apply internationally a marketing restriction on sign postings in U.S. stores.

No extensive, detailed factual evidence was presented at the trial regarding ads and marketing at retail sales points overseas.

Kessler criticized the tobacco companies' request for clarification of her decision last August. The companies said portions of the ruling imposed "broad and amorphous requirements" that raise serious issues under the law.

The judge said the companies had been provided "more than sufficient notice" of prohibited conduct.

In August, the judge enjoined the companies from committing any act of racketeering relating in any way to the manufacturing, marketing, promotion, health consequences or sale of cigarettes in the United States.

(There is no justification for) to tell the rest of the world that 'low tar/light' cigarettes are less harmful to health when they are prohibited from making such fraudulent representations to the American public.

!!! Annonce !!! Forum Marlboro.