LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge has turned away an effort to block a new federal law that restricts how tobacco is marketed and gives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority over it.
U.S. District Judge Joseph H. McKinley on Thursday denied a preliminary injunction sought by two of the three largest U.S. tobacco companies, who claimed provisions of The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act violated their right to free speech.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., and Lorillard Inc., filed the federal lawsuit in August in Bowling Green, along with several other tobacco companies.
Reynolds says the act has several provisions restricting or banning truthful speech. McKinley ruled that the tobacco companies have "little likelihood" of winning.
©2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
