ERSP on CigArrest

Executive Summary

CigArrest, marketer of the eponymous smoking cessation program, has adequately supported its general performance and safety claims, but should modify or discontinue its claim that users can "become a non-smoker in as little as seven days," according to an Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program decision Feb. 24. ERSP reviewed a TV ad and website promoting the product and expressed concern about claims such as: "clinically proven methods to help you avoid smoking in any situation" and "the most successful stop smoking program." However, the National Advertising Review Council division found that ingredient claims such as "the active ingredients work...by relieving nervous tension, irritability and the craving associated with withdrawal" were given "adequate" support by scientific literature. Additionally, safety claims including "all-natural, non-addictive" and "we have not had any serious reactions or adverse side-effects ever reported" were reasonably supported by the marketer, ERSP states. CigArrest is a homeopathic formula that includes Nux Vomica (poison nut) and Plantago Major (plantain), the marketer states...