Reynolds American Asks Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to Stick to the Facts

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., May 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' press release today alleging R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company is "circumventing" its 2006 agreement with state attorneys general is grossly inaccurate. The company requests that the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids retract its statement.

"Voicing an opinion is one thing; ignoring the facts to achieve your goals is just plain wrong," said Tommy Payne, executive vice president - public affairs for Reynolds American Inc. "These misrepresentations perpetuate an atmosphere of mistrust and conflict, and prevent any reasonable dialogue to resolve the issues that surround the tobacco industry."

The agreement signed by 40 state attorneys general permits the marketing of specialty blends, like R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company's Camel Signature styles, while restricting the use of fruit, candy and alcohol descriptors in brand names or in non-age-restricted communications. Camel Signature is in full compliance with this agreement.

"The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids seizes every opportunity to criticize tobacco manufacturers as part of their effort to advocate FDA regulatory authority over tobacco products," Payne said. "We support their right to do so but believe it requires full and fair disclosure of the facts so that people can draw their own objective conclusions.

"We believe the long-standing controversies regarding the manufacturing, marketing and use of tobacco products need to be resolved," Payne continued. "The time has come to set aside the 'accusation and rebuttal' form of debate that has prevented constructive discussions from occurring. We would welcome discussions that lead to a reasonable and realistic national regulatory structure. And we would welcome the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Myers and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to discuss these important issues, Camel Signature, and the marketing policies and programs of our operating companies."

ABOUT US

Reynolds American Inc. (NYSE: RAI) is the parent company of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; Conwood Company, LLC; Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, Inc; and R.J. Reynolds Global Products, Inc.

  -- R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, the second-largest U.S. tobacco company,
     manufactures about one of every three cigarettes sold in the country.
     The company's brands include six of the 10 best-selling U.S. brands:
     Camel, Kool, Pall Mall, Winston, Salem and Doral.

  -- Conwood Company, LLC is the nation's second-largest manufacturer of
     smokeless tobacco products.  Its leading brands are Kodiak, Grizzly and
     Levi Garrett.  Conwood also sells and distributes a variety of tobacco
     products manufactured by Lane, Limited, including Winchester and
     Captain Black little cigars, and Bugler roll-your-own tobacco.

  -- Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, Inc. manufactures Natural American
     Spirit cigarettes and other additive-free tobacco products.

  -- R.J. Reynolds Global Products, Inc. manufactures, sells and distributes
     American-blend cigarettes and other tobacco products to a variety of
     customers worldwide.

Copies of RAI's news releases, annual reports, SEC filings and other financial materials are available at http://www.reynoldsamerican.com/.