A federal appeals court Monday largely upheld the U.S. government's authority to regulate tobacco products, including requirements for stronger, graphic warnings on cigarette packs.

A three-judge panel from the U.S. 6th Circuit in Cincinnati ruled that the government has an interest in preventing consumers from being deceived by the marketing practices of tobacco companies and that the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act's requirements are aimed at that goal.
Cigarette makers had sued to stop the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) new labeling and advertising requirements on grounds the rules violated their First Amendment right to free speech.
The case, which was originally filed in Kentucky, is one of two by tobacco companies against the federal rules that would make them place large graphic health warnings on cigarette packs. The other case has so far resulted in a federal judge in Washington blocking the new requirement, arguing last month it violated free speech. That decision is being appealed by the government.
Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch yesterday emphasized past practices by tobacco companies to deceive consumers about the hazards of tobacco products and said the new requirements provide "truthful information" to consumers as they make decisions about using tobacco. (pi)