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R.J. Reynolds to Discontinue U.S. Sale of Flavored Cigarettes |
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On October 11, 2006, in a historic settlement agreement between the attorneys general of 38 states and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, RJR has agreed to discontinue the sale of candy, fruit and alcohol-flavored cigarettes within the United States. In addition to the ban, the agreement imposes major marketing restrictions on cigarettes manufactured by the tobacco giant, keeping them from using candy, fruit or alcohol-related names such as “Twista Lime”, “MochaMint” and “Kauai Kolada”. Targeted marketing toward youth by the tobacco industry has been strictly prohibited as a direct violation of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement. RJR may no longer use print advertising point-of-sale materials, exterior packaging or non-age-verified direct mail or Internet advertising that contains (i) names of a candy, fruit or alcoholic beverage, (ii) any of a number of specified terms that evoke imagery of candy, fruit or alcoholic beverages, or (iii) imagery of candy, fruit, sweet desserts or alcoholic beverages. In addition, the tobacco giant may no longer distribute scented promotional materials, such as "Lift and Sniffs" or "Scratch and Sniffs". The settlement agreement culminates from an investigation spearheaded by the states of New York and Illinois and also involving a team of lawyers from the offices of the attorneys general of California, Connecticut and Maryland. The American Legacy Foundation's truth® youth smoking prevention campaign touched upon the subject of marketing flavored cigarettes to youth during an ad campaign earlier this year with the television spot "Sweet Smokes." In the spot, truth®'s roving correspondent sets up a booth, similar to a refreshment stand in a New York City Park. There he advertises flavors like "Mocha Taboo," "Twista Lime", and "Midnight Berry." He curiously ponders why these flavors would be used by tobacco companies in making their cigarettes, a product they say is for adults. When young children and teens approach the stand, he turns them away, telling them that these flavors are for adults only. The correspondent makes it clear that he is no expert, but reveals in disbelief that a tobacco company document stated that “it’s a well-known fact that teenagers like sweet products.” |
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