Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are you owned by Phillip Morris?
2. Are you affiliated with any American Indian enterprises?
3. What are “fire-safe” cigarettes?
4. Does a cigarette’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) tar and nicotine levels tell me how much tar and nicotine I will get?
5. Are you a signatory to the 1998 tobacco industry Master Settlement Agreement (MSA)?
6. How can I get my name removed from your mailing list?
7. Do you sell other tobacco products?
8. Are cigarette butts litter?

Are you owned by Phillip Morris?

No. We became an independent operating unit of Reynolds American Inc. in 2002, but we’re the same company we’ve always been with the same values and commitment to producing the highest quality tobacco products we’ve always had.

Back to top

Are you affiliated with any American Indian enterprises?

No, we are not an American Indian enterprise and we’re not affiliated with any American Indian groups, but a portion of our sales of every pack, pouch and tin is donated to support American Indian causes. To read more about the Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Foundation, which supports the preservation of American Indian self-sufficiency, language and culture, go to www.sfntcfoundation.org.

Back to top

What are “fire-safe” cigarettes?

As a result of legislation in an increasing number of states, we have created Natural American Spirit FSC (Fire Standards Compliant) cigarettes, which use a special cigarette paper to meet several states performance standards for ignition propensity. But remember, FSC cigarettes are NOT “fire safe” and need the same careful attention and handling as any other cigarette. Any burning cigarette can ignite materials if handled carelessly.

We use a modified paper and, in some cases, a modified filter, to adhere to FSC requirements. Our tobacco remains unchanged and still 100% additive-free.

As of July, 2007, we distribute FSC cigarettes for sale in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont and Washington, DC.

Back to top

Does a cigarette’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) tar and nicotine levels tell me how much tar and nicotine I will get?

No. A smoker's level of exposure will vary with how a cigarette is smoked. The exposure could be greater or less than an FTC tar and nicotine yield. Since Natural American Spirit cigarettes are made with more tobacco per cigarettes this can lead to higher tar and nicotine levels.

Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company publishes tar and nicotine yields for its cigarettes. These standardized yields are determined by a test method prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission pursuant to which cigarettes are machine-smoked under exactly the same conditions. However, the tar and nicotine yield of a cigarette determined by the FTC method does not predict the smoker’s level of exposure when smoking that cigarette. Actual exposure depends upon how the smoker smokes the cigarette and may be more or less than the FTC yield rating. For example, the following impact level of exposure: number, frequency and volume of puffs, how far the cigarette is smoked down, how long a puff is held before exhaling and whether fingers or lips block vent holes in the filter.

Depending upon how each cigarette is smoked, a smoker could be exposed to as much or more tar and nicotine from a “light filter” cigarette as from a “regular filter” cigarette.

According to the FTC, “...many smokers of ‘low tar’ or ‘light’ cigarettes compensate by taking deeper, longer, or more frequent puffs from their cigarettes.” For more information on the subject see the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Alert, “Up in Smoke: The Truth,” at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/smokealrt.htm.

Back to top

Are you a signatory to the 1998 tobacco industry Master Settlement Agreement (MSA)?

Yes. We are a voluntary signatory to the MSA. We are committed to complying with the marketing and other provisions of the MSA and to achieving its objective of reducing underage access to and use of tobacco products. We do not want underage persons to smoke or have access to our products. We market only to smokers 21 years of age or older. We do not encourage non-smokers to start or existing smokers to smoke more. The best way to reduce the risks of smoking is to quit. There is no safe cigarette. To read the full text of the MSA, click here.

Back to top

How can I get my name removed from your mailing list?

Just send an e-mail to feedback@sfntc.com or call us at 1-800-332-5595 and ask us to take your name off our mailing list. You might get one more mailing if we’ve already sent it out, but you shouldn’t receive any more after that.

Back to top

Do you sell other tobacco products?

Yes. We sell and market Dunhill International, Dunhill Fine Cut, Marshall McGearty and State Express 555.

Back to top

Are cigarette butts litter?

Yes. It could take thousands of years to biodegrade just one cigarette butt so they should be considered litter. We encourage all smokers to dispose of cigarette butts responsibly. For more facts on cigarette litter, visit www.cigarettelitter.org.

Back to top

Disclaimer on external web links

The appearance of external links does not constitute endorsement by Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. SFNTC does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations.

Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate.