Remember those shocking images that the FDA wanted tobacco companies to print on packages to deter smoking? A man exhaling cigarette smoke through a hole in his throat? A dead smoker on an autopsy table?
Well, a judge sided with the tobacco companies Monday, slapping a temporary injunction against the images. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled that it is likely the cigarette makers will succeed in a lawsuit to block the requirement. He stopped the requirement until the lawsuit is resolved, which could take years.
Leon found the nine graphic images approved by the Food and Drug Administration in June go beyond conveying the facts about the health risks of smoking or go beyond that into advocacy — a critical distinction in a case over free speech.
Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, urged the Obama administration to appeal the ruling that he said "is wrong on the science and wrong on the law." He said a delay would only serve the financial interests of tobacco companies that spend billions to downplay the health risks of smoking and glamorize tobacco use.
Note EU-Digest: this seems a very questionable decission - free speech and the freedom to warn the Public against health risks seem to be very much related. Looks like the US Tobacco Industry still has quite some lobbying powers.
For more: Judge blocks graphic cigarette label images - Business - US business - msnbc.com
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