The court found merit in claims that the FDA likely exceeded its statutory authority by requiring more warnings than allowed under the Tobacco Control Act.


RT’s Three Key Takeaways: 

  1. Court Finds FDA Exceeded Statutory Authority: A federal judge ruled that the FDA’s attempt to expand the number of graphic health warnings on cigarette packs from nine to eleven likely exceeded its statutory authority under the Tobacco Control Act, granting interim relief to tobacco companies.
  2. Rule Implementation Delayed: The decision halts enforcement of the FDA’s graphic warning label rule for cigarette packages and advertisements until the legal challenge is resolved.
  3. Public Health Advocates Express Concern: The American Lung Association criticized the ruling, emphasizing the importance of graphic warning labels in reducing tobacco-related addiction and health risks.

A federal judge has ruled in favor of tobacco industry plaintiffs that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cannot proceed with its rule to require graphic warning labels on cigarette packages until the legal challenge to the rule is resolved. 

US District Judge J. Campbell Barker in Tyler, Texas, granted interim relief to the tobacco industry plaintiffs, finding merit in their claims that the FDA lacked statutory authority to expand the number of mandated warnings from nine to eleven, as outlined in the Tobacco Control Act. The ruling delays enforcement of the rule until a final judgment is issued.

The case stems from a broader legal challenge, with tobacco companies arguing that the FDA exceeded its authority by rewriting and adding to the warnings required by law. The court also considered potential procedural violations under the Administrative Procedure Act, though the interim relief was based on statutory authority claims.

This decision postpones the implementation of the FDA’s updated labeling requirements, which were intended to enhance public understanding of the health risks associated with smoking, and leaves the matter unresolved until further judicial review.

In response, the American Lung Association issued the following statement: “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. Graphic warning labels are an important strategy to help reducing the addiction, disease, and death associated with tobacco use in the US.

“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.”

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