(2 of 2)
Aroma. The American Cancer Society has condemned the ads as "a violation of the spirit, if not the letter of the law banning electronic cigarette advertising." Critics note that Winchesters are easily inhaled, and inhaling, experts say, is the major health hazard of tobacco. Reynolds Marketing Vice President James Hind disputes such criticism and insists that Winchesters are indeed different from cigarettes. He asserts that Winchesters are made entirely of cigar and air-cured tobaccos—as distinct from flue-cured tobacco in most cigarettes—and that they have the aroma of cigars.
In February, the Senate Consumer Subcommittee held hearings on little cigars that centered largely on Winchesters. After listening to testimony, Subcommittee Chairman Frank Moss said that he was considering asking for new legislation that would more clearly define the differences between little cigars and cigarettes, possibly including whether the products' smoke can be readily inhaled. Says Moss: "I am anxious to move swiftly and decisively to prevent the proliferation of more cigarette-like cigar products."
Executives of many little-cigar companies are worried that Winchesters' vigorous marketing campaign will result in a ban on TV ads for small stogies. For its part, Reynolds is wagering that it can create an unusually large demand for Winchesters.