On January 5, 2010, a judge for the US District Court for the Western District of Kentucky issued a ruling [PDF] upholding restrictions on cigarette advertising imposed by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Tobacco companies, including R.J. Reynolds, filed suit against provisions of the law that outlaw distribution of clothing and goods with tobacco logos or brand names affixed and tobacco companies' sponsorship of cultural, athletic, and social events, claiming they violated the companies' First Amendment rights. The court struck down provisions of the law that prohibited the use of color and graphics in tobacco advertisements and labels.

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