The Nation - News from Aug. 7, 1986

An R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. advertisement on smoking and health, challenged by the Federal Trade Commission as false and misleading, is protected by the First Amendment, an administrative law judge ruled. Montgomery K. Hyun, in dismissing the complaint, ruled that the Reynolds statement was an editorial and, therefore, was fully protected by the Constitution even if it were inaccurate or incomplete. The ad, entitled “Of Cigarettes and Science,” contended that government studies indicated smoking is not as hazardous as the public has been told and challenged the relationship between smoking and heart disease.