The European Commission has filed a civil lawsuit in a US court against cigarette maker RJ Reynolds, accusing the firm of money laundering.
Along with 10 European Union member states, the EU's executive arm said it would "seek compensation for economic and other losses" it had sustained.
The EU began a smuggling investigation against three tobacco firms in the United States last year but the cases were thrown out by a district court.
The Commission said at the time it intended to pursue the related money-laundering claim.