Smokers in the United States have been given the go ahead to sue tobacco companies for their allegedly deceptive marketing of light cigarettes.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that smokers may use state consumer protection laws to sue cigarette makers for the way they promote "light" and "low tar" brands.

The tobacco companies had argued that the lawsuits were barred by federal cigarette labelling laws, which forbids states from regulating cigarette advertising.

But in a five-to-four decision, the court ruled that tobacco firms could be sued under state law.

The case that went to the Supreme Court involves three smokers from the north-east state of Maine, who puffed on cigarettes for 15 years.

They have been arguing that they have a right under state law to sue the companies for deceiving them that light cigarettes were healthier.