FDA Orders Philip Morris to Hand Over Marketing Materials

The agency is requiring the research on Marlboro Lights as part of the upcoming ban on "light" and "mild" on cigarette packaging.

June 21, 2010

WASHINGTON - Late last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration insisted that Philip Morris give the agency everything relating to market research for Marlboro Lights, Reuters reports. The agency expressed concern over one of the brand??s advertisements.

The agency sent a letter to Altria Group, Inc., parent company of Philip Morris, citing apprehension about onserts connected to Marlboro Lights packs. Tomorrow, a ban on using the words "light," "mild" or "low" begins.

"By stating that only the packaging is changing, but the cigarettes will stay the same, the onsert suggests that Marlboro in the gold pack will have the same characteristics as Marlboro Lights, including any mistaken attributes associated with the 'light?? cigarettes," stated the FDA letter.

Altria has a July 30 deadline to hand over information associated with the marketing or sale of Marlboro Lights. The agency wants to see creative suggestions, themes and distribution stratagems.

"We received the letter?? and we??re reviewing it and we will respond," said Altria spokesman Bill Phelps.

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