In-Store Signage Settlement
Last updated: July 15, 2022
The Issue
Altria, RJ Reynolds, and ITG Brands reached an agreement in long-running litigation brought by the U.S. Department of Justice and certain public health organizations regarding the communication of tobacco-related messaging at retail locations. The agreement covers the last remaining dispute from the lawsuit DOJ filed against the manufacturers in the 1990s.
Retail Impact
The agreement will require manufacturers to supply signs to stores and require those stores that have contracts with any of the three manufacturers to post the signs for a total of 18-21 months.
The agreement specifies 17 different health messages that will be distributed to retailers around the country by manufacturers. Each store under contract with one of the manufacturers will have to post at least one sign and then switch it to a new sign halfway through the time period required in the agreement. The manufacturers will hire auditors to check whether the signs are properly posted.
NACS Position
NACS spent 17 years fighting any signage requirement through the litigation process and, along with the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, also participated in the negotiations that led to the agreement in order to advocate for retailers.
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