FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  November 7, 1990 

         FTC CHARGES MAIL ORDER COMPANY MISREPRESENTED 
           TANNING PRODUCTS AND "FUEL-SAVING" DEVICE;
               CONSENT AGREEMENT SETTLES CHARGES 

     The Federal Trade Commission has charged Haverhills, a San
Francisco mail-order company, with making false and unsubstantiated
advertising claims about suntanning and fuel-economy devices.  A
consent agreement issued today for public comment prohibits Haver-
hills and its owners from misrepresenting the safety or abilities
of such devices. 

     According to a complaint accompanying the agreement, Haver-
hills violated the FTC Act by making deceptive advertising claims
for two products, the Star Gold Tanner and the Fuel Magnetizer, in
its catalogues.   The complaint alleges that Haverhills falsely
claimed that the Solar Gold Tanner can be used without the risk of
harmful side effects associated with exposure to the sun's radia-
tion, including skin cancer and skin aging, and that the devices
can be used safely without eye protection.

     The FTC's complaint further alleges that Haverhills falsely
represented that the Solar Gold tanner is safer than the sun
because it does not emit UVC radiation.  UVC radiation does not
penetrate the earth's atmosphere and therefore does not cause the
harmful side effects associated with exposure to the sun's radia-
tion, according to the complaint.

     The consent agreement prohibits the company from misrepre-
senting that use of tanning devices does not pose a risk of the
harmful side effects associated with the sun, increase the risk of
developing skin cancer, or contribute to skin aging.  Under the
agreement, respondents also must not misrepresent that sun-emitted
UVC radiation penetrates the earth's atmosphere and therefore
causes the harmful side effects associated with exposure to the
sun's radiation.  The agreement requires the respondents to advise
prospective purchasers to read the warning label affixed to the
device as required by the Food and Drug Administration.  The label
warns users that overexposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause
skin injury, including premature skin aging and skin cancer, and
that failure to wear protective eye wear may result in severe burns
or long-term injury to the eyes.

     The complaint also alleges that the respondents falsely repre-
sented that the Fuel Magnetizer can "Save up to 25% on your gas
mileage with this ingenious device."  However, the typical driver
will not get up to 25 percent fuel economy improvement if the Fuel
Magnetizer is installed, according to the complaint.

     Under the consent agreement, Haverhills is prohibited from
representing that the Fuel Magnetizer or any other similar auto-
mobile retrofit device will result in fuel economy when installed
in any motor vehicle.  The agreement also requires that for any
other gasoline or engine-oil additive or other device offered, the
respondents must have a reasonable basis, consisting of specified
tests, for making any fuel-economy improvement claims.

     The complaint and consent agreement also name the company's
owners, Gerardo and Priscilla Joffe, also of San Francisco.  

     The FTC has published a brochure for consumers called "Indoor
Tanning Devices," which alerts consumers to the hazards associated
with the devices.  Copies of the brochure are available by writing
to:  Public Reference Branch, Federal Trade Commission, Washington,
D.C. 20580.

     The consent agreement is scheduled to appear in the Federal
Register shortly, and will be subject to public comment for 60
days, after which the Commission will decide whether to make it
final.  

     Comments should be addressed to the Office of the Secretary,
FTC, 6th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.

     A consent agreement is for settlement purposes only and does
not constitute admission of a law violation.  When the Commission
issues a consent order on a final basis, it carries the force of
law with respect to future actions.  Each violation of such an
order may result in a civil penalty of up to $10,000.

     Copies of the agreement, the complaint, and an analysis of
the agreement are available from the FTC's Public Reference Branch,
Room 130, 6th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C.
20580; 202-326-2222; TTY 202-326-2502.

                             # # # 

MEDIA CONTACT:      Susan Ticknor, Office of Public Affairs, 
                    202-326-2181

STAFF CONTACT:      Joel Winston, Bureau of Consumer Protection,
                    202-326-3153

(FTC File No. 892 3019)

(Haverhl)