October Term 2024 · Docket 23-1187
Can retailers sue to block e-cigarette approvals?
The dispute centers on whether the Tobacco Control Act grants retailers standing to challenge FDA marketing denials.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Suri argued the lower court nullified the Tobacco Control Act's venue restrictions.
Mr. Watson argued the Court lacks jurisdiction but should affirm the lower court's decision.
Justice Kagan suggested the statutory structure points opposite to the side that brought the case's interpretation.
Justice Kavanaugh asked if administrative law usually includes competitors as adversely affected parties.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 39-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 39-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 45-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 47-43 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 47-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-37
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The FDA argues the statute limits venue to the applicant's home circuit. Reynolds argues retailers are adversely affected parties with standing to sue.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-7
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 21, 2025.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 25-27
What each side wants
The FDA wants the Court to restrict venue to the applicant's home circuit.
Reynolds wants the Court to confirm retailers can sue in any circuit.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-7
What each side says
The FDA argues the statute nullifies broader venue claims by limiting where suits may be filed.
Reynolds argues retailers are adversely affected parties who qualify to challenge marketing denials.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-7
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked if the manufacturer's goal is to create products retailers want to sell.
Justice Jackson asked if retailer interests activate only when a product is marketed on the market.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 39-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 39-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 45-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 47-43 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 47-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-37
Why it matters
This case determines if retailers can block e-cigarette approvals in distant courts. It shapes who can challenge FDA decisions on tobacco products.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-7
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 39-15 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 39-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 29-49 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 29-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-27 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 45-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 11-27 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 11-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 29-43 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 29-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 55-11 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 55-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 47-43 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 47-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-43 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 17-37
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 44, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-7
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.