The Department of Justice (DOJ) in the United States announced this week that tobacco companies will now be required to display signage at retail locations indicating the health risks and impact of smoking, as well as adopting corrective measures released as part of a lawsuit.
In 1999, the US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against several major tobacco companies, accusing them of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The lawsuit alleged that the tobacco companies had intentionally misled the public about the risks of smoking for decades.
In 2006, a federal judge ruled that these companies are responsible for alleged violations of RICO and ordered defendants to take corrective action, stating that without such an order, the companies may continue to violate RICO.
However, tobacco companies questioned the findings in court, delaying the implementation of the order. Eventually, the original ruling was upheld and a compromise was reached, with the corrective measures taking effect in 2017.
These corrective measures include issuing statements about the dangers of smoking in both English and Spanish on printed materials, online platforms, and major television networks.
This week's announced measures are part of the final remedies yet to be issued as part of the decades-long legal collapse. It affects the defendants in the case, including four cigarette brands owned by Altria, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and ITG Brands LLC.
When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for Reynolds stated, "We strongly support increasing public awareness of the dangers of smoking, but these efforts must respect the First Amendment protections that apply to all speakers, including tobacco product manufacturers. We cannot comment further on pending litigation.
Beginning on July 1, 2023, warnings highlighting the dangers of smoking will be displayed on "prominent" signs at thousands of retail locations. As stated in a press release by the US Department of Justice, approximately 200,000 retailers have agreed to sales contracts with the tobacco companies in question, granting them control over the display of their cigarettes in-store.
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