Cigar industry agrees to first health warnings

Monday, June 26, 2000 | 11:16 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. cigar industry agreed for the first time to warn consumers that cigar smoking can cause cancer and heart disease, in a settlement of government deceptive advertising complaints.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission today said the top seven U.S. cigar makers, which account for 95 percent of sales, agreed to post five rotating warnings on packages and advertising, advising smokers that cigars can cause mouth, throat and lung cancer and are not a safe alternative to cigarettes.

The warnings are similar to those long required by law for cigarette packages and advertising. Congress had exempted cigars from the cigarette-warning law.

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