Tobacco Companies Sue New York City Over Cigarette Signs

A number of tobacco companies have joined forces to sue the city of New York over anti-smoking signs posted throughout the city.

The signs are quite graphic in nature, as they depict various health risks from smoking that include a decaying tooth, damaged lungs and a damaged brain.

According to tobacco companies the signs are a direct violation of cigarette vendors’ free speech and should be removed immediately.

Philip Morris USA, Lorillard Tobacco Company, and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., are the main plaintiffs in the suit filed against the city yesterday.

Right now, all cigarette sellers need to display one of three signs in their stores depicting the harmful effects of cigarettes or face a $2000 fine from the city.

“The signs … do not describe the risks of smoking in purely factual terms. Instead, the signs force tobacco manufacturers and retailers to communicate vivid images at the point of sale,” the suit said.

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