U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker in Tyler, Texas, has ruled that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cannot enforce its rule requiring graphic warning labels on cigarette packages while a legal challenge from the tobacco industry is ongoing.
The American Lung Association expressed disappointment with the decision, stating: “The American Lung Association is extremely disappointed that the tobacco industry continues to stand in the way of implementing the long-overdue and Congressionally mandated graphic warning labels on cigarettes." The organization emphasized that these labels are crucial for reducing addiction, disease, and death linked to tobacco use in the United States.
In light of this ruling, the association called upon the incoming Trump administration to prioritize public health. "We urge the incoming Trump administration to use all tools available to them to stand on the side of health and finally get these graphic cigarette warning labels in place on cigarette packs,” they stated.
