Attorney General Lockyer Announces Historic Agreement Between 39 Jurisdictions and R.J. Reynolds to End U.S. Sale of Flavored Cigarettes
Settlement Includes Tough Restrictions on Marketing to Youth in Future
October 11, 2006
06-089
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(916) 324-5500
(SACRAMENTO) – Attorney General Bill Lockyer today announced he and the Attorneys General of 38 other jurisdictions have entered a settlement with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) that ends RJR’s sale in the United States of its candy, fruit and alcohol-flavored cigarettes.
“In marketing these products to our youth, RJR violated the agreement it made with the states back in 1998 to stop targeting kids,” said Lockyer. “Hopefully, this settlement will keep RJR from breaking its word again and ensure the company acts responsibly to help protect children from starting a deadly habit.”
Under the settlement, RJR agreed to a ban in the United States of its flavored Camel, Kool and Salem cigarettes. The agreement also imposes significant marketing restrictions that make it virtually impossible for RJR to market a flavored cigarette to youth in the future. The curbs apply to any cigarettes manufactured by RJR in the future that have a characterizing flavor other than tobacco or menthol. Among the restrictions:
* The name of the cigarette may not be that of a candy, a fruit or an alcoholic beverage, and may not include any of a number of specified terms that evoke imagery of candy, fruit or alcoholic beverages.
* RJR may not use print advertising, point of sale materials, exterior packaging or non-age-verified direct mail or internet advertising that contain: names of a candy, a fruit or an alcoholic beverage; any of a number of specified terms that evoke imagery of candy, fruit or alcoholic beverages; or imagery of candy, fruit or alcoholic beverages.
* RJR may not distribute scented promotional materials, such as "Lift and Sniffs" or "Scratch and Sniffs."
Lockyer and the other Attorneys General alleged RJR, through its advertising, marketing and promotion of flavored cigarettes, was violating provisions of the 1998 tobacco Master Settlement Agreement that prohibited targeting youth.
The Attorneys General cited RJR’s use of candy, fruit and alcohol flavors with high youth appeal, its use of advertising and packaging with youth-oriented graphics, typography, colors and themes, and its use of "Scratch and Sniff" and "Lift and Sniff" promotional cards with candy scents.
The brand styles of flavored cigarettes sold by RJR and specifically banned by the agreement are:
* Camel Exotic Blends: Mandarin Mint, Dark Mint, Crema, Izmir Stinger, Twist, Cinnzabar, Mandalay Lime, Aegean Spice, Bayou Blast, Beach Breezer, Margarita Mixer, Midnight Madness, Back Alley Blend, Kauai Kolada, Twista Lime, Winter MochaMint, Warm Winter Toffee, Blackjack Gin, Screwdriver Slots and SnakeEyes Scotch.
* Salem Silver: Dark Currents, Fire & Ice, Deep Freeze and Cool Myst.
* Kool Smooth Fusions: Mintrigue, Mocha Taboo, Midnight Berry and Caribbean Chill.
Joining Lockyer in today's settlement are the Attorneys General of the following jurisdictions: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Commonwealth Northern Marianas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
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