The US government has appealed a ruling by District Court Judge Richard Leon that the Food and Drug Administration regulation mandating a series of graphic labels for cigarette packs is unconstitutional, Reuters reported.

Leon on 29 Feb ruled the nine warnings and their mandated size represented a violation of freedom of speech. The appeal was filed with the US Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia on 5 March, Reuters reported.
R.J. Reynolds, Lorillard, Liggett Group, Commonwealth Brands and Santa Fe Natural Tobacco initially challenged the FDA regulation (District Court for the District of Columbia No. 11-cv-1482). (pi)