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© Savulich for NewsFascist scare tactics: NYC's lies are being challenged in court
Tobacco companies have taken the city of New York to court in reaction to anti-smoking signs that illustrate the various health hazards of smoking.

The New York Health Department developed three different signs that show the harmful effects of smoking on the body last December, requiring all cigarette sellers in the city to display at least one warning sign at the cash register or next to the cigarettes.

The lawsuit claims that by forcing the signs, which bear messages such as "smoking causes tooth decay," on vendors, the city is violating their rights.

"The government may not force private parties to carry messages beyond purely uncontroversial factual statements that are designed to prevent consumer deception," said the lawsuit cited by Reuters.

"The signs ... do not describe the risks of smoking in purely factual terms. Instead, the signs force tobacco manufacturers and retailers to communicate vivid images at the point of sale," the suit said.

The New York Health Department, however, hit back by accusing the tobacco industry of "signaling its desire to keep kids in the dark" by taking legal action against the educational campaign.