Lack of Credibility - Reynolds American's Campaign to Derail the Federal Tobacco Regulation Bill..

March 28, 2008 - Lack of Credibility - Reynolds American's Campaign to Derail the Federal Tobacco Regulation Bill.. Reynolds American (RA) probably is the worst offender when it comes to marketing tobacco products to children. Though RA maintains it does not market to children the release of internal documents, one of RJR's key papers, "Younger Smokers -- Ages 14-25," revealed the company's interest in marketing cigarettes to young smokers. Some marketing campaigns: Joe Camel so heavily promoted that more children recognized this cartoon character than Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse; flavored cigarettes that mask the harshness of natural tobacco which can deter some first-time smokers; Camel No. 9 cigarettes targeting young women with it's tag "Light & Luscious" - the name evokes women’s fragrances like Chanel No. 9, as well as a song about romance, “Love Potion No. 9.” Kool another RA investment brand: The Manipulation of Our Youth - Influencing Our Future. Also Camel Signature Series, Kool XL and Camel SNUS - "Pleasure for Wherever" promotions.

Regulation of the tobacco industry is long overdue. For decades the tobacco companies have been exempt from the standards of responsibility and accountability that apply to all other American corporations. But is the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control act the right legislation to get this done?? We are concerned that Philip Morris USA is the co-author of this bill (Mike Szymanczyk, now CEO of the new Atria, Inc. has told investors (3/11/2008) they are engaged in the process of writing the bill). These people are not to be trusted. They tell people they are a socially responsible company but then go out and buy cigar maker John Middleton, Inc. famous for Black & Mild cigars very popular amongst young African Americans.

We can't have this law preempt any tobacco control measures that have already been implemented in various states unless it enhances control. The tobacco regulatory body should be under the FDA's umbrella but a separate entity not deriving funding or human resources from the existing parent agency. (TobaccoWatch.org)