R.J. Reynolds successfully obtains stay of FDA's graphic warnings rule

Client(s) R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas ruled--in favor of Jones Day clients that include R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company--that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's regulation requiring graphic cigarette warning labels likely exceeds the Agency's authority under the Tobacco Control Act. The court issued a preliminary injunction and postponed the effective date of the rule pending the parties' summary-judgment briefing. The rule, which requires large graphic warnings with disturbing images to appear on cigarette packages and advertising, would represent the most significant change to cigarette labels in nearly 40 years.

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., et al. v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, et al., No. 6-20-cv-176 (E.D. Tex.)