IRISH tobacco manufacturers have claimed graphic images on cigarette packets will not force smokers to quit the habit.

A US federal appeals court today agreed with the major elements of a 2006 landmark ruling that found the nation's top tobacco companies guilty of racketeering and fraud for deceiving the public about the dangers of smoking.

A federal judge has ruled that the top US cigarette makers violated racketeering laws, deceiving the public for years about the health hazards of smoking.

LAWYERS for the world’s leading cigarette makers have admitted that the companies sold dangerous and addictive products, but said they never conspired to hide those hazards.

CIGARETTE makers lied and tried to confuse the public about the dangers of smoking for 50 years, the US government said as its $280 billion case against the industry went to trial in Washington.