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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 19, 2000
Contact:
HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
STATEMENT BY
DONNA E. SHALALA
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Regarding R.J. Reynolds' New Product, Eclipse
"We have significant concerns about the marketing plans R.J. Reynolds is announcing for its new product, Eclipse. It is not at all clear that a sufficient science base exists to support a bold claim that this tobacco product may reduce the risk of cancer. Nor is it clear what advice doctors should give their smoking patients who wonder if they should switch to a product like Eclipse. What we do know is that cigarettes and other tobacco products in any form are unsafe, dangerous, and cause great pain, suffering and death. We know that Congress has it within its power to pass legislation to give FDA clear jurisdiction over tobacco products. But we need to know much more about the
extent of any reduction in exposure to toxins, and whether this actually reduces the overall risk of smoking in a meaningful way. Until then, smokers should be very careful about assuming that products like Eclipse are in any way safer than cigarettes."
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