Lautenberg To Chair Committee Hearing Examining Whether "Tar" And "Nicotine" Ratings Mislead Smokers

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 13 Nov 2007 - 12:00 PDT

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Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) will preside over a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing TODAY to examine the accuracy of the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) tar and nicotine cigarette rating system and the marketing claims of cigarette companies based on these ratings.

The FTC has raised concerns about its testing methods and has admitted in prior Congressional testimony that its "ratings tend to be relatively poor predictors of tar and nicotine exposure," noting how machine-measured tar and nicotine ratings are not an accurate reflection of tar and nicotine intake. Documents to be released at the hearing will show that the tobacco industry had knowledge of the inaccuracy of the ratings since the 1970s.

The committee will also review the FTC's jurisdiction over deceptive marketing and advertising practices. The committee will explore tobacco companies' marketing of light cigarettes to Americans and cigarette design changes that further undermine the accuracy of the FTC test.

A witness announcement is forthcoming.

Accuracy of the FTC Tar and Nicotine Cigarette Rating System
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
Date: Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Room 253, Russell Senate Office Building

http://www.lautenberg.senate.gov