Court Upholds Requirement for Graphic Smoking Warnings on Cigarette Packs

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal requirement for graphic images on cigarette packs and advertising, depicting the harmful effects of smoking, does not violate the First Amendment. The court overturned a lower court order and kept alive a tobacco industry challenge, directing a review of whether the rule was adopted in accordance with the federal Administrative Procedure Act. The images, including those of smoke-damaged lungs and other smoking-related health issues, are aimed at increasing public awareness of the risks associated with smoking.