Sacramento, Calif. – The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it will not hear R.J. Reynold’s challenge to a Los Angeles County law ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products.
The following is a statement from Jim Knox, California managing director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN):
“The Supreme Court’s decision to leave the law intact is a major victory for public health as the statute helps reduce smoking and limits Big Tobacco's predatory practices to addict Black, LGBTQ+ and limited-income communities.
“Moreover, this decision preserves the authority of cities, counties and states to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products.
“With today’s action, we have once again prevailed over the tobacco industry in the legislature, at the ballot, and now in the courts; and are determined to keep extending this winning streak.
“Tobacco use is still the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the U.S. and smoking is now linked to at least 12 types of cancers, including lung, liver and colorectal cancers.
“Therefore, ACS CAN will vigorously continue to combat the tobacco industry’s efforts to thwart policies that protect our communities from the scourges of tobacco use and save lives from cancer caused by tobacco use.”