The court, stating there was no way to determine smokers' personal reasons for cigarette choice, decided the smokers should not be represented in a class-action lawsuit, The New York Times (NYSE:NYT) reported. Instead, the court said, the smokers would be required to file individual lawsuits against the tobacco industry.

There could be several motivations for people to select light cigarettes instead of "the belief that lights were a healthier alternative," the court's ruling said.

Analysts said the ruling is a success for tobacco companies and could prevent similar class-action lawsuits in the country.