Eight health groups and several individual pediatricians filed a suit in federal court to force the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a final rule requiring graphic health warnings on cigarette packs and advertising, as mandated by a 2009 federal law. The suit was filed on Oct 4.
The lawsuit was filed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Cancer Society, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Truth Initiative, and several individual pediatricians.
This suit is the latest in an ongoing legal battle between health groups, the FDA, and the tobacco industry regarding graphic warnings on cigarette packs and advertising so as to deter youth and children from picking up the habit.
There are many studies globally that prove that graphic warnings are effective at informing consumers about the health risks of smoking, and also effective at deterring children and non-smokers from picking up the habit. More than 90 countries require large, graphic cigarette warnings.
Tobacco use is the No. 1 preventable cause of death in the United States, killing more than 480,000 Americans and costing about $170 billion in health care expenses each year.
Read the full report from the American Hear Association here.
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