Refusing to allow tobacco to kill innocent lives, the US court has recently decided to bring changes in tobacco packaging. The US court is of the view that the word warnings imprinted upon the packages of tobacco would help in saving a number of innocent lives from the ill effect of tobacco.

Richard Leon, the US District Judge, has decided to bring in the changes, claiming that the graphics imprinted over the packaging violates the right of freedom of speech. In the month of June, the Food and Drug Administration approved about nine graphics showing the ill effects of tobacco on human body.

Criticizing the graphics imprinted over the packaging of cigarettes, the court said that the packaging should carry 80% of space for word warnings and only 20% of space should be provided for graphic warnings.

It has further been recommended that the font of the warning should be large so that it could catch the eyesight of the consumer. In the last 25 years, it is for the very first time when changes in the packaging of tobacco have been recommended.

Although the court has recommended of introducing changes in the packaging of tobacco, the tobacco firms are criticizing the move of the government by saying that the government is forcing them to promote anti-smoking campaign.

A number of tobacco manufacturers like RJ Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard Tobacco, Commonwealth Brands, Liggett Group and Santa Fe Natural Tobacco have lodged a case against FDA for causing hindrance in their business.

Smoking has been linked to various life-threatening diseases like cancer. There many who falls in the trap of smoking unknowingly. Therefore, it is necessary to protect innocent lives by warning them of the ill effects of smoking. However, it is yet to be decided by the authorities by which method they could prevent people from the ill habit of smoking.