Maker of Nicotine Patch Agrees to Change Its Ads

Ciba-Geigy Corp. has agreed to change the print advertising for its popular Habitrol nicotine patch, giving consumers clearer warnings about the risks of the smoking cessation program.

The agreement, announced Monday, settled a suit against the drug maker by 11 states. Ciba-Geigy, based in Summit, N.J., also agreed to pay each of the states $50,000 as reimbursement for their attorney fees and other costs of the suit.

Ciba-Geigy admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement, saying it did so to save itself court costs and because the changes asked for were reasonable.

“Our original advertisements had met all applicable federal guidelines before the ads appeared,” said Douglas G. Watson, president of Ciba-Geigy’s pharmaceutical division, which markets Habitrol. “We have now reached an agreement with the states to address their concerns as well.”

Nicotine patches, usually worn on the arm, release a controlled dosage of the chemical to help smokers kick the habit.

Ciba-Geigy was sued last year by Arizona, California, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina and Texas.

New York Atty. Gen. Robert Abrams said Monday that the Habitrol ads failed to make clear that the patch should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment program, involving counseling and a doctor’s supervision.