In the midst of a campaign to convince Congress and the public that the industry, rather than Congress, pan be trusted to limit cigarette promotions aimed at young people, the Industry has been caught In still another lie.

Contrary to an Interview published just this year In the Wall Street Journal In which It denied targeting young people, an R.J. Reynolds (RJR) 1990 business plan called for a singleminded focus on getting young adults to smoke Camel cigarettes, the most popular brand with young teens.

RJR reportedly admits the authenticity of the business plan which directly contradicts its earlier published statements, but defends it by arguing that the campaign was targeted to youths 18-21 for whom smoking Is legal.

But, notes John Banzhaf, Executive Director of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), no plan can possibly have a "singleminded focus" on 18-year olds without having a major appeal to kids under that age.

This Is especially true since It features a cartoon character better known to kindergarden-age children even than Mickey Mouse, says Banzhaf.

This newest revelation comes on the heels of a new study which shows that cigarette advertising and promotion is twice as important In getting children to smoke than peer pressure, or smoking by others in the household.

Another study released at the same time showed that, for more than 1 00 years, major cigarette campaigns have had more of an effect In boosting teen smoking than smoking by adults.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Is now receiving comments on a proposal to regulate cigarette advertising and promotions aimed at young people as part of a comprehensive plan to regulate nicotine In cigarettes as a "drugs In the same way that nicotine- In patches and chewing gum has always been regulated as a drug. The proceeding was triggered by and Is based upon legal action by ASH, which serves as the legal action arm of the antismoking community.

ASH - ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH 2013 H Street, NW / Washington, DC 20006 / (202) 659-4310