R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Seattle-King County Department of Health, et al.

A cigarette manufacturer brought an action against local governments claiming that city and county ordinances prohibiting the distribution of free tobacco products and samples were preempted by the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act (FCLAA).  The Court noted that the FCLAA regulated several aspects of cigarette advertising and labeling and explicitly barred state governments from regulating the promotion of cigarettes labeled in conformity with the act.  The Court denied the State of Washington's motion to intervene to enforce a provision of an agreement between the state and the manufacturer that prohibited facial challenges to existing local legislation, noting that the challenge was not facial but concerned the application of the ordinances to the distribution of cigarettes.  Additionally, the Court held that the distribution of free products constituted promotional activities and that the FCLAA therefore preempted the local ordinances' restrictions on the distribution of cigarette products and samples.

DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Seattle-King County Department of Health, 473 F. Supp. 2d 1105, United States District Court, Western District Washington (2007).

  • United States
  • Feb 6, 2007
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, at Seattle

Parties

Plaintiff R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

Defendant

  • Others
  • Seattle-King County Department of Health

Third Party

  • State of Washington

Legislation Cited

Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act (as amended), 15 USC §§ 1331 - 1341

Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act ("FCLAA"), 15 U.S. Code Section 1331, et seq.

King County Board of Health Code ("BHC") Section 19.04.115

Seattle Municipal Code ("SMC") 6.240.120

Related Documents

Type of Litigation

Tobacco Control Topics

Substantive Issues

Type of Tobacco Product

None