The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously rejected the idea that imposing tort liability against tobacco companies amounts to an unlawful ban on cigarettes.

“Strict liability and negligence claims … do not interfere with the regulation of advertising and promotion of cigarettes and, therefore, do not clearly conflict with congressional objectives,” Chief Justice Jorge Labarga wrote.

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. argued federal law preempts state law tort claims brought by thousands of Florida smokers and their families after the court disbanded the Engle statewide class action in 2006. Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal rejected the industry argument but decided it was a question of great public importance that should be decided by the high court.