The attorney general of California joined his counterparts in Maryland and New York in condemning R.J. Reynolds' latest Camel cigarettes marketing effort.
The alcoholic beverage industry also objected to Reynolds using its members' trademarks on coasters the cigarette maker has been sending since January as birthday presents to people in their 20s, the Los Angeles Times reported.
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer condemned the so-called viral marketing effort Tuesday.
Boozy messages and high-alcohol drink recipes will "blatantly encourage irresponsible and excessive consumption of alcohol," Lockyer said.
However, Maura Payne, vice president of communications for Reynolds, said the coasters were sent only to people 21 and older who identified themselves as smokers.
While the promotion was to continue through April, Payne told the newspaper Reynolds was conducting and internal review in light of the complaints by the attorneys general.
Last year, Lockyer won an $11.4 million settlement from Reynolds, which he accused of marketing to teens through magazine advertisements.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
