Reuters Blogs

MediaFile

Where media and technology meet

October 11th, 2006

Is that a martini you’re smoking?

Posted by: Brad Dorfman
Tags: Uncategorized

cigarette.jpgR.J. Reynolds has agreed to restrictions on marketing flavored cigarettes — which opponents argue attract underage smokers — under an agreement with 38 states that stops the company from using fruit, candy and alcoholic beverage names and images on packages or in advertising materials.

The agreement is a legal document and as such is, well, very specific. Can the company use the name “Cosmopolitan,” for example? It depends.

“…a cigarette named ‘Cosmopolitan’ with an image of the New York skyline depicted on the packaging would not be prohibited by this Agreement. By contrast, a cigarette named ‘Cosmopolitan’ with an image of a glass depicted on the packaging would be prohibited,” the settlement said.

Oh, and about those names.

Reynolds will no longer be able to sell cigarettes called the following: Mandarin Mint, Dark Mint, Crema, Izmir Stinger, Twist, Cinnzabar, Mandalay Lime, Aegean Spice, Bayou Blast, Beach Breezer, Margarita Mixer, Midnight Madness, Back Alley Blend, Kauai Kolada, Twista Lime, Winter MochaMint, Warm Winter Toffee, Blackjack Gin, Screwdriver Slots, and SnakeEyes Scotch.

The agreement is silent on the name “Wacky Tobacky.”

Post Your Comment

*
To prove you're a person (not a spam script), type the security word shown in the picture. Click on the picture to hear an audio file of the word.
Click to hear an audio file of the anti-spam word