Tobacco Industry News

Reports

ALEC seeks lower taxes for smokeless tobacco products marketed to teens, 'tweens
Members of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a large association of state legislators and tobacco lobbyists, have promoted smokeless tobacco as being a “cure” for smoking, and are now seeking lower taxes for smokeless tobacco products. ALEC has been known to give elected officials lavish trips to their meetings and conferences where the agenda is to introduce their ideas for legislation. Lawmakers in Minnesota and Wisconsin have recently introduced legislation backing the price reduction of smokeless tobacco products. Smokeless tobacco products are sold in candy-like packaging with flavorings that appeal to young people, and concern is growing over how pricing policy proposals could affect young people and tobacco use. Click here to read more.

RJR set to take Camel Snus Mint nationwide
Tobacco company R.J. Reynolds is preparing for a national release of its new product Camel Snus, a smokeless tobacco product with a mint flavor. The product has only been available in test markets in 27 states, and has received positive reviews. According to an RJR spokesperson, Camel Snus is a product that follows the new trends in tobacco use and is marketed to adults. Click here to read more. The National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society and other health organizations have stated that smokeless tobacco is addictive and harmful to user’s health. Click here to read the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ talking points on smokeless tobacco including how scientific evidence shows smokeless tobacco to be a carcinogen and how it is marketed to young people.

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