Tobacco companies are suing the federal government, claiming the anti-tobacco legislation signed into law in June violates their First Amendment right to communicate with adult customers. I suppose big tobacco has backed away from “Joe Camel” type of advertising aimed at young people. Now I have to read up on the First Amendment. It seems advertising is a form of commercial speech (motivated by profit) and is not without protection under the law as developed through various Supreme Court decisions.
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This is truly a sign they are being hurt by the legislation. It will be interesting to see what happens.