sample="rhetorical" bates="512709249" isource="rjr" decade="1990" class="ue" date="19940000" FDAPR NEWSWIRE STORY 2 PAGE 1OF1 16:16 RJR DENIES IT INCREASES NICOTINE IN ITS PRODUCTS WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire / -- The following statement was released today by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company: The claims that RJR increases the nicotine in its products are false. RJR does not increase the nicotine in its cigarettes above what is found naturally in tobacco. In fact, the manufacturing process reduces the nicotine in cigarettes when compared to unprocessed tobacco used to make the cigarette. This includes the processes discussed in tonight's ABC broadcast. In the past 40 years, the average nicotine and tar in cigarettes sold in the U.S. has declined by more than 60%. For many tears, tar and nicotine levels for all cigarettes have been measured pursuant to FTC methods, and are published by the FTC, and are included on every cigarette advertisement. /CONTACT: David B. Fishel, Public Relations, R.J.Reynolds Tobacco Company, 910-741-7654/ 15:57 EST