Winston’s “no additives” cigarette commercials by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. are misleading by the Federal Trade Commission. The agency said that Reynolds indicated in its marketing that Winston Cigarettes Price are safer to smoke since they do not contain any additives, without any reasonable basis.
“No additives in our tobacco do NOT equal a safer cigarette,” Reynolds has agreed to say in future Winston commercials as part of a settlement approved by the FTC for public comment.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Director of Consumer Protection Jodie Bernstein has said, “Anyone who thinks that cigarettes without added ingredients are safer than regular cigarettes should know better after Reynolds’ admission. Actually, the term “Safe Smoke” does not exist.”
As far as the FTC is concerned, this has been a problem for some time. Several different additives may alter the physical qualities of a cigarette, such as its burn rate, in addition to the flavor.
According To The FTC’s Lawsuit,
Reynolds claimed that Winston Cigarettes Price are less harmful than similar cigarettes that do contain additives because they contain none. The lawsuit says that Reynolds did not have a reasonable basis for the statements at the time they were made. This is because of the various carcinogens and toxins found in cigarette smoke in general, and Winston Cigarettes Price in particular, the FDA said.
Any tobacco product Reynolds promotes as having no additives must now carry a disclaimer in all of its advertising for Winston and similar brands. According to the proposed order, the disclaimer must be included in all Winston Cigarettes Price no-additive cigarette advertising for one year commencing no later than July 15, 1999, regardless of whether such advertising carries a “no additives” claim.
All Winston Cigarettes Price advertising that uses language like “no additives” or “100% tobacco” must now include a notice that the product has no additives. If Reynolds has scientific data that their “no additives” cigarette has a significantly lower health risk than other cigarettes, the disclosure isn’t necessary.
The Disclosure Must Be Posted In A Box 40 Percent The Size Of The Surgeon General’s Warning,
In a clear and prominent area as part of the proposed settlement. Any advertisements at a retail outlet stating that Winston Cigarettes Price have no additives must be removed or marked with the appropriate disclosure by Reynolds’ sales staff.
In 1984, Congress revised the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to compel cigarette makers to give to the Secretary of Health and Human Services a list of all the components added to the cigarettes they produce.
‘The Secretary of Health and Human Services is supposed to keep this information private, but must disclose to Congress any ingredient that the Secretary considers poses a health risk to smokers.
Concurring statement from Commissioner Orson Swindle: The Commission voted 4-0 to accept the proposed consent agreement for public comment “Considering that there are justifiable remedies in this case, including an apology in Winston Cigarettes Price advertisements for a year, I have voted to allow for public review and comment on this proposed consent agreement.
The “No Additives” Winston Cigarette Ad Campaign,
Which began in August 1997 and has since been running throughout the country, has been particularly broad. Ads claiming “no additives” are interpreted by many customers to indicate Winston Cigarettes Price are less dangerous than other cigarettes, and such a health claim is probably relevant to consumers in their purchase choices, based on my interpretation of the evidence.
I’m ready to make the assumption that the implicit health claim will remain in consumers’ minds for a year based on the current campaign’s size and scope, as well as the quality of the evidence supporting it by providing Winston Coupons. Because of the well-known health dangers of smoking, I am especially worried about the lasting influence of the advertising. In light of this, I am in favor of the proposed consent order’s remedy for corrective advertising.”
In The Next Few Days,
The Federal Register will publish the proposed consent agreement. Afterward, the Commission will determine whether or not to make the agreement official following 60 days of public consultation. FTC Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 20580 is the place to send your comments to.
For the avoidance of doubt, a consent agreement is not an acknowledgment of a law breach. When the Commission issues a final consent order, it has legal effect and may be relied upon going forward. A civil penalty of $11,000 may be imposed for each infraction of such an order.
Consent Order Available
There are copies of the FTC’s proposed consent order, complaint, and an analysis of the proposed consent order available on the FTC’s website at:
http://www.ftc.gov and at the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington D.C 20580, and at 202–FTC–HELP (202-2382-4357); TDD for the hearing impaired 1-866-653–4261. Call 202-326-3627 for consent agreements open to public comment. Call the FTC NewsPhone recording at 202-326-2710 to stay up to date on the latest developments.