CURRAN'S COMPLAINT HALTS TOBACCO COMPANY PROMOTION THAT ENCOURAGED BINGE DRINKING

R.J. Reynolds Terminates Mailing With Excessive Drinking Messages

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that his office just received word from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company that it has now terminated its Camel cigarettes alcoholic beverage coaster promotion. The coasters promotion which encourages excessive drinking was the subject of Curran's December 13, 2005 letter.

"I am pleased that R.J. Reynolds finally agreed to abandon this ill-conceived promotion," said Attorney General Curran. "Given the grave public health and safety concerns, no responsible company should be encouraging excessive drinking."

To see Curran's December 13, 2005 letter to Reynolds and the subsequent press release, go to his website, www.oag.state.md.us/press/121305.htm