Tobacco manufacturers now have until 8 July 2023 before having to put graphic warning labels on their cigarette packets, reports the Winston-Salem Journal.

The latest delay is the eighth judge-ordered delay for the graphic warning labels that are required by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after the launch date for the measure had been pushed back from initially 18 June 2021.
“Pursuant to the court order, any obligation to comply with a deadline tied to the effective date is similarly postponed,” according to the FDA. However, the agency added that companies were strongly advised to submit their cigarette plans as soon as possible and not later than 8 September.
The new set of graphic warning images must cover the top half of the front and rear panels of packages, as well as at least 20 per cent of the top of advertisements, reports the Winston-Salem Journal.
Manufacturers had argued that the FDA deadline was not realistic with regard to the financial and logistical effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.