The Supreme Court has decided not to entertain a lawsuit challenging a federal mandate that requires cigarette packages and advertising to feature graphic imagery that illustrates the consequences of smoking.

A brief written order released on Monday confirmed the court’s refusal to hear the appeal. This decision follows a ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which determined that these graphic warnings do not infringe upon First Amendment rights.

R.J. Reynolds, a prominent tobacco manufacturer, sought the Supreme Court’s intervention after the appellate court upheld the requirement for graphic labels. The images displayed on cigarette packages include alarming visuals such as severely damaged lungs due to smoking, a depiction of feet affected by reduced blood circulation, and a stark image of a woman with a significant growth on her neck, alongside the warning “WARNING: Smoking causes head and neck cancer.”

The company contended that the image depicting the growth was misleading, arguing that a person would likely seek medical attention before such a severe condition manifested. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defended the imagery, stating that all the presented pictures accurately represent the undeniable health risks associated with smoking.

Globally, approximately 120 countries have implemented more prominent graphic warning labels on tobacco products. Research from these nations indicates that picture-based labels are more effective than text warnings in raising awareness about smoking dangers and motivating individuals to quit. In contrast, the United States has not updated its cigarette packaging labels since 1984.

The timeline for introducing new labels remains uncertain. There are still outstanding legal challenges, and the FDA has announced that it will not enforce any new labeling requirements until at least December 2025.