Amazon, British American Tobacco Fined in Italy Over Smoking Devices Ads
By Mauro Orru
Italy's competition watchdog fined Amazon.com and British American Tobacco, saying the companies had misled consumers when advertising heated-tobacco devices without stressing potential health risks.
The Italian Competition Authority, or AGCM, said Wednesday that the companies advertised BAT's glo hyper X2 and glo hyper air devices by denying, omitting or not highlighting information on nicotine consumption, thus leading consumers to purchase products that carry health risks and are forbidden to minors.
The regulator fined Amazon 1 million euros ($1.1 million) and BAT EUR6 million, calling the companies' conduct "grossly misleading." The decision comes almost a year after AGCM opened a probe into the companies over their advertising practices.
Amazon and BAT didn't respond to requests for comment.
Write to Mauro Orru at mauro.orru@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 14, 2024 03:45 ET (08:45 GMT)
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