In 1994 the tobacco industry stated, “…neither cigarette smoking nor the nicotine delivered in cigarettes is addictive.” In order to confuse the issue of the dangers to health from cigarette smoking, they planned to “..defend [itself] on three major fronts, litigation, politics, and public opinion…creating doubt about the health charge without actually denying it.” (F.Panzer to H. Kornegay [Trial Exhibit 20,987]). Of course, all along they knew nicotine was addictive, as evidenced by the Brown & Williamson communication from AJ Mellman to RA Blott in March 1983 stating, “Nicotine is the addicting agent in cigarettes.” (Trial Exhibit 13,334)

If that is not enough, you have repeated statements by the tobacco industry that they are not targeting youth. (Heavens no!) Yet Trial Exhibit 13,820 shows a RJR statement on February 21, 1973, “KOOL’s stake in the 16-25 year old population segment is such that the value of this audience should be accurately weighted and reflected in current media programs. As a result, all magazines will be reviewed to see how efficiently they reach this group and other groups as well.”

Or, notes from a RJR Marketing Department presentation to the Board of Directors on September 30, 1974, stating “First, let’s look at the growing importance of the young adult in the cigarette market. In 1960, this young adult market, the 14-24 age group, represented 21% of the population…They represent tomorrow’s cigarette business. As this 14-24 age group matures, they will account for a key share of the total cigarette volume -- for at least the next 25 years.” Or until they die….

Now RJR is saying their “reduced risk” Eclipse cigarette is safer than ultralight cigarettes, and that it “may produce less cancer.” And, they expect people to believe them. Now, they can confuse the issue, as they have for decades, by using multi-million dollar advertising campaigns. So it should not be a big surprise that when tested by an independent laboratory (LabStat International), the Massachusetts Department of Health concluded, “This research strongly suggests…..Eclipse may have much higher levels of known carcinogens than Now, a product already in the marketplace and being sold without explicit health claims.”

To make matters worse, one RJR campaign is clearly trying to undermine quit attempts by stating, “The best choice for smokers who worry about their health is to quit. Eclipse is the next best choice,”explicitly stating that Eclipse is safer than other cigarettes, despite the lack of credible scientific data to prove it. 

But then, the tobacco industry has always been upfront and transparent in their dealing, so why shouldn’t we believe them? Gee, maybe this is why --- take a look at this snippet from an internal Phillip Morris communication preceding the Minnesota Trial: “Ship all documents to Cologne [Germany]. We will monitor in person every 2-3 months. If important letters or documents have to be sent, please send to home - I will act on them and destroy.”

I think I will pass on Eclipse. Thanks anyway…..