WASHINGTON (AP) – Ordered in federal court to publicize the dangers of smoking and to stop marketing some cigarettes as healthier than others, tobacco companies posed a question to the judge: Do you mean everywhere?

Five of the largest cigarette manufacturers argued Thursday that they can continue business as usual overseas. They asked U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler to let them keep advertising “low tar” and “light” cigarettes to international smokers, even though the judge says those labels are misleading.

“Banning the use of the low-tar descriptors in foreign countries would be an unwarranted intrusion upon the right of these countries to regulate cigarette sales within their own borders,” attorneys wrote.

Prohibiting such marketing would put U.S. cigarette companies at an unfair disadvantage in the international market, attorneys said. Overseas markets represent a growth area for cigarette sales, tobacco executives have said.

The companies also say overseas markets should be exempt from a court order requiring them to post signs in stores saying cigarettes are dangerous and addictive and that tobacco companies have manipulated them to deliver nicotine to smokers.

“Only an industry that has survived for 50 years by deceiving the American public on a continuing and regular basis would have trouble complying with an order that tells them to simply tell the truth,” said Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-free kids.

Kessler ruled Aug. 17 that the nation’s top cigarette makers violated racketeering laws and deceived the public for years about the health hazards of smoking. Defense attorneys noted Thursday that U.S. racketeering laws don’t apply overseas.

Thursday’s request was filed by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., British American Tobacco Ltd., Lorillard Tobacco Co., and Philip Morris USA Inc. and its parent, Altria Group Inc.

The request follows a Massachusetts Department of Public Health report that found nicotine levels in cigarettes have risen about 10 percent in the past six years, making it harder to quit and easier to get hooked.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., who called for legislation prohibiting companies from boosting nicotine levels, cast Thursday’s court filing as an adaptive move by the industry.

“Big tobacco may be forced to clean up its act in the United States, so they’re clearly looking to continue their deceptions in large markets overseas,” Lautenberg said.

Tobacco companies said in court papers that they were preparing to ask Kessler to put her entire ruling on hold until they could appeal.