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• State Disputes Reynolds Claims On Hazards of New Cigarette 

The Massachusetts health department has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc.'s claims that its unconventional Eclipse cigarette is potentially less hazardous for smokers, citing new research that shows Eclipse contains higher levels of some cancer-causing chemicals than two regular "ultralight" brands.

In a letter to FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky, the state health commissioner, Howard K. Koh, said data from a series of tests commissioned by his agency and performed by a private laboratory "indicate that the claims being made for Eclipse are not properly substantiated." Dr. Koh also is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state attorneys general to take action against Reynolds, which is promoting Eclipse in a Dallas test market as the "next best choice" to quitting smoking.

Among other things, the tests found smoke from Eclipse cigarettes contains higher levels of two carcinogens -- acrolein and a tobacco-specific nitrosamine known as NNK -- than smoke from the ultralight brands Now and Carlton. Eclipse also was found to have higher levels of three other carcinogens -- benzo(a)pyrene, acetaldehyde, and another nitrosamine known as NNN -- than Now. Eclipse has lower levels of those chemicals than Carlton. . .

Critics of the tobacco industry say the Massachusetts study highlights the need for federal regulation to establish standards for the development, testing, advertising and marketing of less hazardous cigarettes.

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