The State of California is suing tobacco giant RJ Reynolds for using cartoons and other kid-friendly images to sell Camel cigarettes. Attorney General Jerry Brown says an illustrated multi-page ad in a recent Rolling Stone magazine violates a 1998 agreement. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
The Rolling Stone ad is filled with cartoon images that look like they're lifted off the pages of underground comic books.
The ad promotes independent record labels. But the word Camel and the famous animal logo are right at the top of the page.
RJ Reynolds officials say the ad doesn't violate the ban against using cartoons to sell tobacco because Rolling Stone artists created it.
Matthew Myers heads up the campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.
Myers : There isn't a person in the world who sees this ad and doesn't see it as an ad for Camel cigarettes. The image that Camel and RJ Reynolds has spent years promoting comes through very clearly.
California is one of eight states filing suit over the ad.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
