Copyright 2000 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government Use.
To the Editor: A recent Medical News & Perspectives article1 raised a number of criticisms about Eclipse cigarettes. It is impossible in letter format to either describe the scientific data developed to characterize Eclipse or to address the criticisms raised in that article. At R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, we are committed to developing new cigarettes that have the potential to present less health risk to smokers. However, no cigarette is without risk, including Eclipse.
Our advertising for Eclipse states: "The best choice for smokers who worry about their health is to quit. But Eclipse is the next best choice for those who have decided to continue smoking." Our advertising also makes it clear that R. J. Reynolds does not claim that Eclipse presents less risk of cardiovascular disease or complications with pregnancy. There is some evidence suggesting that, compared with other cigarettes, Eclipse may pose less risk to smokers of developing cardiovascular disease.2 However, other evidence suggests that smokers who already have cardiovascular disease may further increase their health risk by switching to Eclipse.3 We advise smokers to consult their physicians with questions about their health.
R. J. Reynolds has conducted an extensive comparative evaluation of Eclipse. Many of these studies have been published in the peer-reviewed literature, presented at scientific meetings, or both; and a complete bibliography is available from the authors. The results of these and other studies may be reviewed on the Eclipse Web site (http://www.eclipse.rjrt.com). An independent panel of scientific experts has reviewed our science and reached conclusions consistent with our claims.4
As indicated in the news article,1 some scientists have expressed concern that continuous filament glass may be present on the outer surface of Eclipse cigarettes. R. J. Reynolds has previously responded to these concerns.5 Transfer data and the physical characteristics of the filaments indicate that significant exposure of the smoker to continuous filament glass will not occur. Environmental survey data demonstrate that Eclipse smokers are extremely unlikely to be exposed to continuous filament glass at a level representing an increase relative to background exposure. The chemical composition of the filament used in Eclipse is generally similar to glass fiber compositions that have failed to produce either tumors or fibrosis in chronic inhalation studies conducted in rats. Furthermore, in vitro dissolution data demonstrate that these filaments are more soluble than biologically active fibers such as asbestos and rock wool. In short, exposure of Eclipse smokers to continuous filament glass is extremely unlikely to occur at a level that may be construed to be of biological significance. A safety assessment addressing this topic has been published.6
Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature
Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal
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