By CNN Staff
(CNN) — The Department of Justice has sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner saying it will not ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review a federal appeals court ruling that blocked new graphic warnings on cigarette packages.
The government had until April 5 to appeal the ruling, which struck down the mandate, saying the requirements were a violation of free speech protections.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration instead will “undertake research to support a new rule-making consistent with the Tobacco Control Act,” the letter said, meaning the FDA will have to create new warning labels.
The FDA didn’t immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.
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