Reynolds files lawsuit in California over tobacco products

On May 12th, Convenience Store News reported that Reynolds Tobacco filed a lawsuit against officials, including California Attorney General Robert Bonta, in response to several notices issued by Bonta alleging that Reynolds Tobacco and certain brands under the Empire Tobacco umbrella "presumptively" marketed flavored tobacco products.

Renault believes that the new product complies with California law.

Tobacco company Reynolds American Inc. has announced that it is taking action to maintain the availability of its legal "non-menthol" tobacco products in the California market. The company filed a lawsuit in California court seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, including the overturning of warning notifications from California authorities.

Renault Tobacco has expressed its support for its new products and believes that they comply with California's laws and can continue to be sold. Renault stated that it had followed all applicable pre-market regulatory requirements before launching these products for sale.

The company's statement stated:

The new Camel and Newport brand tobacco products do not have any discernible flavor or scent other than tobacco, and explicitly state that they are non-menthol on the market.

Renault Tobacco believes that the notification from the California Attorney General's office failed to acknowledge the fact that the newly launched product is prominently labeled as non-menthol and is being sold in the market.

California Attorney General Accuses Reno of Violating Flavoring Ban with New Product.

Previously, California's Attorney General, Xavier Becerra, issued warning letters to Reynolds and Imperial Tobacco stating that California law enforcement officials discovered through a review of cigarette packaging and promotional materials that several products were "presumed to be flavored products in violation of California's flavor ban.

The California Attorney General's office has identified seven products from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, including Camel Crush Oasis Silver, Camel Crush Oasis Blue, Camel Crush Oasis Green, Camel Crisp, Newport EXP Non-Menthol Mix, Newport EXP Non-Menthol Max, and Newport Non-Menthol Green, as "flavored" tobacco products. Similarly, two products from Imperial Tobacco, Kool Non-Menthol and Kool Blue Non-Menthol, have been identified as "flavored" tobacco products as well.

These two companies are required to respond to these notices before June 23rd.

The Battle Against Flavored Tobacco in California.

On November 8th, 2022, California approved Proposition 31 with approximately 62.3% of voters in favor and 37.7% against. Proposition 31 upholds the state law banning the sale of flavored tobacco, including menthol.

The vote result was immediately met with opposition from tobacco companies, with companies such as Renault suing the California government in the US Supreme Court. However, on December 12th, the US Supreme Court rejected the plea of multiple tobacco companies to halt the implementation of the state's ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products.

According to Renault, the company has repeatedly urged law enforcement officials in California to take action against illegal and unregulated disposable electronic cigarettes that are being smuggled into the state from unknown sources through its ports.

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Reynolds has initiated legal action in California with the aim of safeguarding the legal sale and distribution of its tobacco products.