REHEARING DENIED: An appeals court on Wednesday denied the federal government's request to reconsider a decision blocking a requirement that tobacco companies put large graphic health warnings on cigarette packages to show that smoking can disfigure and even kill people.
CHALLENGE UPHELD: A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., in August affirmed a lower court ruling blocking the Food and Drug Administration mandate. Tobacco companies argued the proposed warnings went into anti-smoking advocacy. The government said the photos of dead and deceased smokers factually conveyed the dangers of tobacco.
WHAT'S NEXT: A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment. The government has 90 days to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court if it chooses to do so.
