Clarification

A syndicated column by Andres Martinez of the Los Angeles Times, published April 2, stated that the Federal Trade Commission had approved Philip Morris’s use of the phrase “lowered tar and nicotine” on packs of Marlboro Light cigarettes.

In response to an inquiry, Jen Schwartzman from the FTC’s Office of Public Affairs replied: “I’ve consulted with staff, and they have confirmed that the FTC never approved the use of the terms ‘lights’ or ‘lowered tar and nicotine’ as cigarette descriptors.”