|
R.J.Reynolds settles ad case
|
 |
March 3, 1999: 7:04 p.m. ET
FTC says Reynolds must say its cigarettes are no safer than others
|
NEW YORK (CNNfn) - R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. has agreed to settle charges by the Federal Trade Commission that its ads for Winston "no additive" cigarettes were deceptive, the FTC said.
The FTC charged the "no additive" claim implied the cigarettes were safer. As part of the agreement, Reynolds will display the following disclosure on all future ads: "No additives in our tobacco does NOT mean a safer cigarette."
RJR Nabisco (RN), parent of R.J. Reynolds, could not be reached for comment late Wednesday.
Jodi Bernstein, FTC director of consumer protection, said the statement will deliver the message that no tobacco products are safe.
"Reynolds' disclosure should clear up any misconception that cigarettes without additives are safer to smoke than other cigarettes," Bernstein said. "Frankly, there's no such thing as a safe smoke."
The FTC alleged that the smoke from Winstons, like the smoke form all cigarettes, contains numerous carcinogens and toxins. The agency said Reynolds claimed otherwise.
The proposal is subject to a 60-day public comment period, after which the FTC will decide whether to finalize it.
Shares in RJR Nabisco closed down 3/16 to 27-11/16 Wednesday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
R.J. Reynolds
|
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
External sites are not endorsed by CNNmoney
|
|
|
|
 |
|
