Wellstone Filters Intends to Market in European Union
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2004 4:02 PM
- PR Newswire
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DURHAM, N.C., Oct 18, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via Comtex/ -- Wellstone Filters (WLSF) announced today that it is planning to market its new cigarette lines in the countries of the European Union. It is estimated by some critics, that tobacco use is responsible for half a million deaths per year in the 15-member European Union -- and even more deaths in the recently expanded EU. About 29% of adults smoke, but in Germany and Greece the percentage is 37%.
"American brand cigarettes have always been popular in Europe," cites L. J. Hand, CEO of Wellstone, "we intend to be a leader in sales there due to our novel, patented approach to filtration."
As a result of the phase-in of the EU's 2001 directive on tobacco products, tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels are limited to 10mg, 1mg and 10mg, respectively. Wellstone believes that its new full flavor cigarette will be able to come well under these levels.
In the EU the use of descriptors such as "light" and "mild" in cigarette advertising are banned as deceptive. In the US, about 82% of cigarettes are marketed as "light" or "low tar." Numerous scientific studies have shown that light cigarettes are as problematic as to health issues as regular cigarettes, because smokers compensate by smoking light cigarettes more frequently or inhaling more deeply, or by unconsciously circumventing the filter ventilation holes which enable the cigarette to receive lower tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide ratings on testing equipment. Wellstone's proprietary filter aims to provide better taste while filtering certain carcinogens, with the goal of reducing overall ingestion of carcinogens and consequent smoking deaths.
Wellstone believes that its patented filter formulation removes tars and certain carcinogens, while providing better taste. However, any claim as to the benefit of any Wellstone cigarette to be sold will be made within the parameters prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission. Wellstone emphasizes that NO cigarette is safe. This corporate communication by Wellstone is not intended to induce any person to purchase future Wellstone tobacco products.
