U.S. LOOKS TO TOUGHEN CIGAR INDUSTRY RULES

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Trade Commission today ordered the nation's five
leading cigar manufacturers to file financial reports detailing their sales
and advertising expenses over the last two years.

The order requires each manufacturer to report the total number of cigars
sold and the amount spent on advertising, merchandising and promotion in
1996 and 1997. It also requires a categorical breakdown of advertising and
marketing expenses for each cigar brand marketed, including any money paid
to motion pictures that featured the products.

The FTC already requires the manufacturers of cigarettes and smokeless
tobacco to submit similar financial information.

The orders will affect Swisher International Group Inc., of Darien, Conn.;
Consolidated Cigar Co., of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; General Cigar Co., of
Bloomfield, Conn.; Havatampa Inc., of Tampa, Fla.; and John Middleton Inc.,
of King of Prussia, Pa.

The companies have until April 9 to file the reports. The move could
eventually lead the agency to require manufacturers to place health warning
in all advertisements.

The popularity of cigars has increased in recent years, particularly among
young people.

``Studies of cigar marketing show strong increases in cigar sales and raise
concerns about increasing use of cigars by high school students 14-to
19-years old,'' the FTC said in a statement.

The agency also expressed concern about a perception that cigar smoking is
not harmful if the smoker does not inhale.

According to the American Lung Association, cigar smokers are four to 10
times more likely to die from cancer of the mouth, larynx and esophagus
than nonsmokers. They are also at greater risk of lung cancer.