The U.S. Supreme Court is signaling that it may block lawsuits accusing cigarette companies of deceiving the public over the alleged safety of “light” cigarettes.

The issue is whether states have the right to regulate tobacco-related health issues or whether that is the exclusive sphere of the federal government.

According to the Associated Press, the case involves three Maine residents who sued Richmond-based Altria and Philip Morris USA Inc. under Maine’s state law banning unfair marketing practices. The legal action claims the tobacco firms knew for years that smokers compensated for the “light” cigarettes by taking longer puffs and exposing themselves to dangerous chemicals.

Federal laws covering cigarette labeling, however, bar states from regulating any aspect of cigarette advertising relating to health, the AP says. High court justices have shown that they believe the laws may be enough to bar appeals of the Maine case.

The Federal Trade Commission, however, may soon come out with new rules relating to advertising “light” cigarettes.