American Spirit is a cigarette company that has been in business for more than 30 years. Throughout these years the company has advertised having “natural” and “additive free” cigarettes, both boxed and self-rolling types, and many have trusted in the company’s standard. However, recently the dangers that American Spirit products pose has come under the microscope in class action lawsuits.
While it is common knowledge that tobacco products are dangerous and have a list of ingredients that could strip the paint off a wall, including such things as contents of nail polish remover and rat poison, smokers still seek out “safer” tobacco products. The integrity of a company like American Spirit was of importance to smokers who chose the brand due to its advertising.
CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST AMERICAN SPIRIT
Floridian Justin Sproule has filed a class action lawsuit against the American Spirit cigarette company and parent corporation Reynolds American for falsely advertising their “healthier” cigarette option. The lawsuit claims that by promoting their product with words like “natural” and “additive free”, American Spirit violated federal law. The suit alleges that American Spirit’s cigarettes contain ammonia and menthol, which increases the concentration of nicotine inhaled by the user.
Mr. Sproule’s lawsuit alleges that thanks to American Spirit’s advertising claims, its sales increased by 86% between 2009 and 2014 while the sales of other companies’ cigarettes declined. In addition to Mr. Sproule’s case, six other class action suits have been filed against the company, all of which are public record. American Spirit’s alleged false advertising has caused uproar among naturalists who claim that the company exploits the trend of natural and organic products by selling its cigarettes in health food stores.
AMERICAN SPIRIT CONTAINS MORE FREE-BASE NICOTINE THAN OTHER BRANDS
Compared to those sold by other companies, such as Marlboro, Camel, and Winston, American Spirit cigarettes allegedly contain nearly six times the amount of free-base nicotine. Studies show that the former three companies’ cigarettes contain an average of approximately 6.2 percent, while American Spirit’s product tips the scales at 36 percent.
The lawsuits allege that because American Spirit consciously misinformed consumers, it is responsible for damages in excess of $5 million. Mr. Sproule’s lawsuit will include the class of individuals who purchased the product for personal consumption between the product’s first date of issue through at least August 27, 2016.
Consumers who used American Spirit Cigarettes, suffered any illness or harm due to the higher nicotine content, or were misled by their advertising Prior to August 27, 2016 may be entitled to compensation. Contact us to learn more.
Reference Articles:
Davis, C. (2015, October 6). Class Action Says American Spirits Aren’t Natural. Retrieved September 7, 2016, from https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/179699-class-action-says-american-spirit-cigarettes-arent-natural/
H. (2016). Natural American Spirit Cigarettes | Truth In Advertising. Retrieved September 08, 2016, from https://truthinadvertising.org/natural-american-spirit-cigarettes/
American Spirit Sued For Marketing Its Cigarettes As ‘Natural’ Retrieved September 08, 2016, from http://medicaldaily.com/american-spirit-sued-class-action-lawsuit-over-deceptive-marketing-their-natural-355858
