R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. U.S. Food & Drug Administration
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Food & Drug Admin., 696 F.3d 1205 (D.C. Cir. 2012).
- United States
- Aug 24, 2012
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Food & Drug Admin., 696 F.3d 1205 (D.C. Cir. 2012).
Five tobacco companies challenged regulations issued by the Food and Drug Administration that would have required graphic health warnings on cigarette packages and other advertisements. The tobacco companies claimed that the health warnings violated their right to freedom of expression, because the warnings amounted to compelled speech. The Appellate Court found the graphic warnings violated freedom of expression and rejected the regulations.
The Justice Department subsequently decided against appeal to the Supreme Court. The Food and Drug Administration will redesign the warnings to more closely align with the ruling of the Court of Appeals.