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Judge Blocks Gruesome Cigarette Labels

Big Tobacco was likely to win First Amendment complaint

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 7, 2011 2:21 PM CST

(Newser) – Wheeze out a sigh of relief, smokers of America: You won't have to look at a blackened lung or rotting teeth when you buy a pack of smokes next year after all. US District Judge Richard Leon blocked the new labels today, ruling that tobacco companies were likely to win their lawsuit claiming that they violated their First Amendment rights. Leon had previously held a hearing over the question of whether the graphic labels simply conveyed the facts about cigarettes' health risk, or constituted outright anti-smoking advocacy, the AP reports.

In this combo made from file images provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shows two of nine new warning labels cigarette makers will have to use by the fall of 2012.
In this combo made from file images provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shows two of nine new warning labels cigarette makers will have to use by the fall of 2012.   (AP Photo/U.S. Food and Drug Administration, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 26 comments
OMS
Nov 9, 2011 10:14 AM CST
Darn! And here I was all set to start collecting the different varieties of packages, just like Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch Dolls and Garbage Pail Kids.
Spudsy
Nov 7, 2011 10:01 PM CST
So a weed that is smoked to kill you is protected but a weed that makes you happy is illegal. 
Mad
Nov 7, 2011 7:52 PM CST
Hope US District Judge Richard Leon enjoys his new boat, paid for by Big Tobacco.
 

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