A federal judge in Washington today refused to vacate a landmark ruling and injunction in 2006 that said a group of tobacco industry companies conspired to dupe consumers about the health risks of smoking.

Lawyers for companies that include Philip Morris USA, its parent company Altria Group, Inc. and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, urged Judge Gladys Kessler of Washington federal district court to vacate or modify aspects of the injunction the judge issued nearly five years ago.