Litigation is an important tool to defend and advance public health policy. This tracker provides information and official court documents from select lawsuits within the focus areas of the Public Health Law Center, including commercial tobacco control, climate justice, and healthy eating. Some cases are relevant to cross-cutting issues that affect public health, such as preemption and First Amendment considerations. The Public Health Law Center has supported public health goals as an amicus curiae, or friend-of-the-court, by filing briefs (included here) with relevant information that the court may choose to consider. You can read more about the Function and Role of Amicus Briefs in Public Health Litigation.
Public Health Topics
Displaying 1 - 10 of 135

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids v. FDA (2026)

On July 14, 2026, a coalition of public health groups, pediatricians, and parents filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland challenging an FDA enforcement policy issued in May 2026. The policy allows e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches to be marketed and sold without the scientific review and marketing authorization required by federal law.

State

Maryland

Most Recent Activity

Status

Open

National Association of Home Builders et al. V. Montgomery County (2024)

A group of industry organizations sued Montgomery County, MD over the county’s “Comprehensive Building Decarbonization” law, also known as Bill 13-22. This law requires the County Executive to issue new building standards eliminating fuel combustion from many new buildings.

State

Maryland

Most Recent Activity

Status

Open

Colorado Apartment Association v. Ryan (2024)

Trade groups for landlords, hotels, and developers sued the City and County of Denver and the State of Colorado, arguing that state and local rules to reduce building energy use and emissions are preempted by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).

State

Colorado

Most Recent Activity

Status

Open

Clean Energy Choice Coalition, NFP v. Village of Oak Park, IL (2025)

A coalition of propane, gas, construction, and landlord trade and labor groups has sued the Village of Oak Park, IL. The industry groups argue that ordinances updating the village’s energy code are preempted by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (“EPCA”). Their argument is based on the inclusion of electrification requirements for certain new buildings in the village ordinances.

State

Illinois

Most Recent Activity

Status

Closed

Restaurant Law Center v. Denver (2024)

Trade associations representing restaurants, home builders, hotels, apartments, and propane sued the City and County of Denver over its building codes, arguing that they are preempted by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (“EPCA”).

State

Colorado

Most Recent Activity

Status

Open

Rinnai America Corp. v. South Coast Air Quality Management District (2024)

Trade associations representing home builders, manufacturers, hotels, apartments, and restaurants, as well as the pipefitters trade union, sued the South Coast Air Quality Management District (“SCAQMD”) in California, arguing that its newly adopted zero-emission nitrogen oxide (“NOx") standard for water heaters is preempted by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (“EPCA”).

State

California

Most Recent Activity

Status

Open

Rivera v. Anderson (2024)

A collection of home builders, gas utilities, and building trade unions sued the Washington State Building Code Council (“WSBCC”) over its new building codes, arguing that they violate the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).

State

Washington

Most Recent Activity

Status

Open

City of Fresno v. Philip Morris (2026)

The City of Fresno filed suit against Philip Morris and other major tobacco manufacturers to hold them accountable for cigarette litter, with charges including public nuisance, trespass, negligence, and violation of state law.

State

California

Most Recent Activity

Status

Open

County of Sacramento v. Philip Morris (2026)

The County of Sacramento filed suit against Philip Morris and other major tobacco manufacturers to hold them accountable for cigarette litter, with charges including public nuisance, trespass, negligence, and violation of state law.

State

California

Most Recent Activity

Status

Open

Albuquerque v. Philip Morris (2026)

The city of Albuquerque filed suit against Philip Morris and other major tobacco manufacturers to hold them accountable for cigarette litter, with charges including public nuisance, trespass, and negligence.

State

New Mexico

Most Recent Activity

Status

Open