The old designs also featured the words "Additive free", but those have been removed after claims by the Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada organisation.

In 1995, Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada protested against the decision of Rothmans, Benson & Hedges to portray the words "Additive free" and "Additive free blend" on their cigarette packs by claiming that "Section 9 (2) of the Tobacco Products Control Act (TPCA) banned the use of extraneous information on the cigarette package.

RBH responded to the criticisms by saying that by trademarking the slogans "Additive-Free" and "100% Canadian Tobacco Without Additives," the TPCA's provisions did not apply.

[citation needed] The TPCA was in force in April 1995 when Canadian Classics was launched, but was overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada in September 1995.

In the same year, Synthia Callard, which was the new executive director of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada at the time, entered a team for a white-water rafting race sponsored by Canadian Classics Adventures Inc. Callard and her five teammates wore T-shirts saying "Smoke Screen Team" with a picture of a broken cigarette and the message "Promote Health Not Tobacco".

Even though the shirts would have been covered by life jackets, event organisers disqualified the team to ensure the race was "Safe, professional and fun.