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American Heart Association Condemns Health Claims of RJR's "Safer" Eclipse Cigarette 

"The independent scientific study conducted by the Massachusetts' Department of Public Health, which shows that smoking an Eclipse cigarette produces greater amounts of carbon monoxide and, in some cases, more carcinogenic nitrosamines and other lethal components compared to two other ultralight brands already on the market, emphasizes yet again the need for Congress to give the FDA full regulatory authority to regulate the tobacco industry," Wheeler said. He added, "Without FDA regulatory oversight to verify health claims, RJR and other cigarette makers are free to make these snake-oil claims about their deadly products." . .

"Obviously, judging by this study, smoking an Eclipse cigarette is not the next best thing to quitting as RJR has promoted, but is one of the best ways to wind up dead from heart disease and stroke," Wheeler said. He added, "RJR should discontinue making false health claims about Eclipse and pull this dangerous and deceptive product off the market. If it does not, it's time for the FDA and the FTC to take immediate action. The FDA should assert immediate authority over Eclipse as it has done over other products for which health claims are made. The FTC should also follow suit and take action against RJR for false and deceptive advertising."

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