New Study Casts Doubts on Health Claims About Eclipse
new scientific study shows that R.J. Reynolds’ new Eclipse cigarettes expose smokers to greater amounts of several cancer-causing chemicals compared to two “ultralight” cigarette brands already on the market.
The study, which was commissioned by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and conducted by Labstat International Inc., a certified cigarette testing laboratory, found that
Eclipse produced approximately equal or higher amounts of several potent carcinogenic chemicals as compared to the “ultralight” Now and Carlton brands.
Download full report (867K .pdf)
The study’s findings contradict RJR’s claims that smoking Eclipse produces 80 percent less carcinogens than a “typical ultralight.” RJR’s claims were not subject to proper scientific review and were not confirmed by the FDA or any independent scientific or government body.
The study demonstrates the need for:
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which regulates advertising, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates health claims, to take action to block RJR’s health claims about Eclipse.
- Congress to grant the FDA full authority over tobacco manufacturing, marketing and sales, including health claims. (see Special Report: Tobacco vs. the FDA)
- State attorneys general to investigate RJR’s health claims about Eclipse as a possible violation of the 1998 legal settlement between the states and the tobacco companies.
Levels of Known Carcinogens in Tobacco Smoke
Eclipse vs. Other Brands
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Benzo[a]pyrene Comparison
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Nitrosamine (NNK) Comparison
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[click image for full graph]
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January 4, 2001
Campaign Release: Public Health Groups Call on RJR to Reverse Plans to Expand Marketing of Eclipse and Pull the Product Off the Market
Letters to FDA and Federal Trade Commission
Massachussetts Department of Public Health Letter to the Federal Trade Commission download (193K .pdf)
Public Health Groups' Letter to the Food and Drug Administration download (96K .pdf)
Public Health Groups' Letter to the Federal Trade Commission download (87K .pdf)
Related Fact Sheets
Why FDA? download (24K .pdf)
The Multistate Settlement Agreement Does Not Eliminate the Need for FDA Authority Over Tobacco download (27K .pdf)
Previous Campaign Statements
August 18, 2000
Release: Public Health Groups Urge FDA and FTC To Take Action Against R.J. Reynolds For Misleading Health Claims About Eclipse Cigarettes
April 19, 2000
Statement: Campaign Greets RJR’s Relaunch of Eclipse Cigarettes with A Healthy Dose of Skepticism
October 4, 2000
Release: New Scientific Study Contradicts R.J. Reynolds’ Claims That Eclipse is a "Reduced-Risk" Cigarette
