Policy Information Exchange

A group of 40 state attorneys general has told R.J. Reynolds that some states plan to sue over health-related claims the company has made about its Eclipse cigarettes, the Associated Press reported May 12.

In a letter sent via the National Association of Attorneys General, the AGs said Reynolds "has engaged in unfair and deceptive acts and practices by publishing false or misleading claims about its Eclipse brand cigarettes." Reynolds says the cigarettes pose less of a health risk to smokers because the tobacco leaves are mostly heated rather than burned.

The company also says that Eclipse reduces secondhand smoke by 80 percent. "Our claims are substantiated by extensive scientific testing," a company spokesperson said.

The letter, which also offers company officials an opportunity to meet with the AGs to discuss the complaint, was sent in March but only made public this week.

Source:  Join Together Online.  Join Together is a project of the Boston University School of Public Health.

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