R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Responds to Studies by Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Harvard School of Public Health; Invites Researchers to Company Facilities

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company does not add nicotine to its cigarettes, nor does it modify its manufacturing standards to systematically increase nicotine levels over time, as recent studies conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Harvard University School of Public Health suggested.

"We have invited the researchers to our facilities to assess the company's blending methodology and manufacturing processes for themselves," said Jeffery S. Gentry, executive vice president of research and development for R.J. Reynolds. "We welcome an informed, scientifically based, open dialogue and information-sharing on this matter. We believe the best way to gain clarity on this issue is to meet in person."

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, an indirect subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc. , is the second-largest tobacco company in the United States, manufacturing about one of every three cigarettes sold in the country. The company's brands include five of the 10 best-selling U.S. cigarette brands: Camel, Kool, Winston, Salem and Doral. For more information, visit http://www.rjrt.com/.