Viceroy controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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1995
Allegations concerning chemicals and nicotine dependence
Former Brown & Williamson vice president and research chemist Jeffrey Wigand alleged that chemicals had been added to several company brands, including Viceroy, to increase nicotine addiction.
1994
Y-1 genetically modified tobacco controversy
FDA Commissioner David Kessler disclosed that Brown & Williamson had grown genetically modified Y-1 tobacco in South America to produce higher nicotine levels. Certain 1993 Viceroy King Size and Viceroy Lights King Size products were identified as containing approximately ten percent of the tobacco.
1970
Proposed youth-smoking marketing test
A Brown & Williamson marketing test involving whether children could be encouraged to smoke was uncovered during a Federal Trade Commission investigation. The proposed Viceroy campaign was not implemented.