The New York Times reported that R.J. Reynolds has responded to California’s prohibition on
the sale of most flavored tobacco products with a marketing campaign touting new nonmenthol
versions of Camel and Newport brands that it says offer “a taste that satisfies the
senses” and “a new fresh twist.” The California law prohibits the sale of tobacco products
with a distinguishable taste and/or aroma other than tobacco, and went into effect in late
December. Critics of the ads say that even though the text says “non-menthol,” the colorful
ads and packaging suggest they are flavored products. They say the campaign is a
provocation of state authorities tasked with enforcing the law, which presumes packaging or
claims of this type indicate that a product has a flavor. Read the story.