Tobacco Industry News

Reports

Reynolds didn't take big hit in suits over ad in Rolling Stone
A Camel cigarette advertising campaign that ran in Rolling Stone magazine in 2007 did not bring any significant financial or legal problems to R.J. Reynolds despite legal action taken by nine states. Rolling Stone ran ads promoting Camel cigarettes aimed at adult consumers next to cartoon content produced by Rolling Stone. This prompted nine states to take legal action under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that banned the use of cartoon images associated with tobacco advertising. Reynolds argued that Rolling Stone was responsible for the cartoon content, not the tobacco company. One ruling is still being decided, but the eight others have been dismissed or settled out of court. Read more here.

FTC reports on tobacco advertising and promotion: Amount spent declines for cigarettes, increases for smokeless tobacco in 2007 and 2008
Two new reports from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) show that major tobacco companies have spent less on cigarette marketing in recent years, while increasing spending on marketing of smokeless tobacco products. In fact, annual smokeless tobacco marketing expenditures more than doubled from $250 million in 2005 to $547 million 2008. Click here for a summary of the findings, and to read the full reports. Click here to view a press release from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids that further highlights the trends identified in the FTC report, and outlines action steps that can be taken to reduce tobacco use.

Reinforcement of smoking and drinking: Tobacco marketing strategies linked with alcohol in the United States
A new study reveals that tobacco companies have done extensive research to confirm that tobacco use and alcohol use go hand in hand for many smokers, and that tobacco companies have explored strategic partnerships with alcohol companies to jointly promote alcohol and tobacco products. The researchers suggest that policies to ban tobacco promotions in places where alcohol is served could help people to stay smoke-free. Read the study abstract found in the American Journal of Public Health here.

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