Judge Bans Grisly Anti-Smoking Ads

New York City smokers no longer have to cover their eyes at the cash register: A federal judge ordered Wednesday that gruesome photos of the effects of smoking—meant to shock smokers into quitting—be removed. Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff struck down the controversial New York City regulation that put the ads up, saying it “imposes burdens on the promotion of cigarettes that only the federal government may prescribe.” Rakoff called the ad campaign “laudable,” but he also said the warnings are pre-empted by a 1965 federal law. City lawyer Nicholas Ciappetta said the city is “disappointed” by the decision and that his staff is considering an appeal.