LEGAL UPDATE 

John, 

In a major victory for public health, a federal court has ruled in favor of putting graphic health warnings on cigarette packs and advertising in the United States!

The U.S. is now one step closer to joining the 138 countries and territories that have adopted this effective, life-saving policy.

FDA-proposed warnings for cigarette packs and advertisements

The FDA issued a rule in 2020 requiring these warnings, which use strong images and text to convey smoking's devastating health effects. Then, the tobacco industry sued to block them, and a lower court sided with the industry. But this week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld the FDA's rule, finding that the graphic warnings are “factual and uncontroversial” and do not violate the First Amendment.

Support our legal work

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids – along with our partners – is fighting Big Tobacco in court, and we contributed significantly to this victory. Your support is critical as we’re expecting more tobacco industry appeals.

LAST IN THE WORLD

The graphic warnings are urgently needed, as the current text-only warnings have become stale and unnoticed since they were last updated in 1984.

Because of the tobacco industry’s repeated legal challenges, the U.S. currently ranks last in the world in the size of its cigarette warnings.

It is time for the U.S. to catch up in implementing best-practice cigarette warnings. 

Current text-only warnings

BIG TOBACCO'S HYPOCRISY EXPOSED

 
The tobacco companies’ legal battle against the graphic warnings once again exposes their hypocrisy when they say they want to reduce the enormous harm that cigarettes cause.

In reality, these companies are doing everything they can to perpetuate cigarette sales and fight policies that would actually reduce smoking.

We're working to ensure that decision makers at all levels stand up to this deadly industry and implement proven policies to reduce tobacco use. And with your help, we'll keep making great progress.

Thanks for standing with us,

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