• March 29, 2024

Reynolds penalized for Eclipse claims

A Vermont Superior Court judge has ordered RJ Reynolds Tobacco to pay the state of Vermont $8.3 million in penalties for violating the state’s consumer protection laws, according to stories in the Vermont Business Magazine and Bloomberg News.

Judge Dennis Pearson imposed penalties based on Reynolds’ advertising of one of its tobacco products, Eclipse, as a “risk reduction” cigarette.

The judge issued an injunction that prohibits Reynolds from making ‘risk reduction’ claims for its tobacco products without supporting studies that have been accepted by the scientific community.

RJ Reynolds could appeal the decision.

“This decision is a multi-million-dollar wakeup call for Reynolds and other tobacco companies,” said Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell. “If you make unsubstantiated health claims about your deadly products, you will pay dearly.”