US cigarette pack warning block remains in force after appeals court decision

An appeals court yesterday denied theUSfederal government’s request to reconsider a decision blocking a requirement that tobacco companies put large graphic health warnings on cigarette packs to show that smoking can disfigure and kill, according to a story by Michael Felberbaum for Associated Press.

In its filings, the US Court of Appeals inWashington,DC, did not provide any reason for denying the request for the full court or a panel to rehear the case.

In August, a three-judge panel affirmed a lower court ruling blocking the Food and Drug Administration mandate, saying it ran afoul of the First Amendment’s free speech protections.

A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment.

The government has 90 days to appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court.

The full story is at: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-12-05/court-denies-rehearing-on-cigarette-warnings.