R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO CO. V. FDA: THE D.C. CIRCUIT TELLS THE FDA TO BUTT OUT OF THE TOBACCO COMPANIES' BUSINESS, CAUSING THE GRAPHIC IMAGE REQUIREMENT OF THE FAMILY SMOKING PREVENTION ANI) TOBACCO CONTROL ACT TO GO UP IN SMOKE.

The article discusses the authority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products as of August 2013, focusing on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia's ruling in the case R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. FDA which determined that packaging-related graphic image warnings violate freedom of speech rights under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act and cigarette-related laws are assessed.