WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Reuters) - R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. on Monday said it is complying with ``the letter and spirit'' of the Master Settlement Agreement, after five U.S. states filed suit against the cigarette maker, alleging that some of its advertisin

In separate suits, state attorneys from Arizona, California, New York, Ohio and Washington accused the No. 2 U.S. tobacco company of breaching the landmark settlement, in part by targeting children through magazine advertisements in certain popular publications. ``We do not and will not advertise in magazines that specifically target minors,'' Charles Blixt, executive vice president and general counsel for Reynolds Tobacco, said in a statement. R.J. Reynolds also claims its advertising on matchbooks and its signs at motor sports facilities, which were also brought under fire in the state suits, meet MSA restrictions. ``We are confident that our cigarette advertising and marketing fully comply with the MSA,'' said Andrew Schindler, the company's chairman and chief executive. R.J. Reynolds, whose cigarette brands include Camel and Doral, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Winston-Salem, N.C.-based R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc. . The company's shares closed off 26 cents at $54.95 on Monday, after trading between $54.60 and $55.95 during the trading session.

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