Fire-Standards Compliant Cigarettes

Consistent with efforts to increase productivity and reduce complexity, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company plans to voluntarily convert all of its cigarette brands to paper that is compliant with the standards enacted by several states by the end of 2009.

In recent years, several states have passed laws requiring cigarette makers to use fire-standards compliant (FSC) paper in their products. The paper to be used nationally by R.J. Reynolds will comply with those states' standards.

R.J. Reynolds is working closely with its paper suppliers to help meet the anticipated demand. Production capabilities are being modified and expanded in order to be able to supply the quantity of FSC paper required to support national distribution on all R.J. Reynolds brands.

The company will meet compliance deadlines for all states that have required the switch to FSC paper. As sufficient paper volume becomes available from suppliers, R.J. Reynolds will begin to distribute its product with FSC paper in phases throughout the balance of the country.