Altria Tests Smokeless Product That Contains No Tobacco

Altria Group Inc. said Wednesday it is testing in Virginia a smokeless product that contains nicotine but no actual tobacco.

The product, called Verve, is a lozenge-shaped disc made of cellulose fibers and polymer and does not dissolve.

The company said Verve works by releasing nicotine over a 15-minute period as the user sucks or chews on it. Altria said each disc contains about 1.5 milligrams of nicotine, less than in many smokeless products.

It has two flavors, tobacco and mint, and is marketed as a spit-free product. Altria plans to sell Verve in a package of 16 discs for $3 at Sheetz convenience stores. The closest Sheetz stores to the Triad selling the product are in Danville, Roanoke and Wytheville.

Verve represents Altria's latest innovative smokeless-tobacco product, a category dominated in recent years by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

Unlike Reynolds' dissolvable orbs, chew sticks and film strips, Verve doesn't contain tobacco. It contains nicotine extracted from tobacco, which is similar to how it is used in nicotine-replacement therapy products.

Reynolds spokesman David Howard said the company would not comment on whether it is developing a product similar to Verve.

"About 30 percent of adult smokers say they are interested in a non-smoking product, so Verve presents a way to give them what they want," Altria spokesman David Sylvia said.

Verve represents the latest product to enter a gray area of federal tobacco regulation.

The Food and Drug Administration was given oversight over most tobacco products by Congress in 2009. However, it has not set standards for product introductions, such as Verve and the Reynolds dissolvables.

Sylvia said Altria has shared its plans for Verve with the FDA.

Some anti-smoking advocates say Verve could play a reduced-risk role for smokers.

"This is a positive development for American smokers, because it introduces them to another category of recreational smoke-free cigarette substitutes," said Brad Rodu, a professor of medicine at the University of Louisville. "Nicotine's safety is on a par with that of caffeine, so this product is a viable substitute for Virginia smokers."

Sylvia said Altria is not making a modified-risk product claim with Verve. However, the company has designed a warning label that says nicotine can increase "heart rate, blood pressure and aggravate diabetes, can harm your baby if you are pregnant or nursing" and "cause dizziness, nausea and stomach pain."

Most smokeless products carry a warning label that includes "this is not a safe alternative to cigarettes."

By comparison, the FDA is trying to put nine graphic warning labels on cigarettes.

Matthew Myers, president of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, decried Verve. "This rigorous standard is needed … to ensure that any future health claims about tobacco products are supported by sound science and do, in fact, reduce the death and disease caused by tobacco use," he said.

Scott Ballin, past chairman of the Coalition on Smoking or Health, and Bonnie Herzog, an analyst with Wells Fargo Securities, said products such as Verve could prove attractive to pharmaceutical companies if they are a hit with smokers.

"It would not surprise me to see GlaxoSmithKline alter one of its nicotine-replacement products so it is marketed as a nicotine product without therapeutic claims," Ballin said.

Herzog said she raised her outlook on Altria's share price in part because "it was going to become more innovative that it had been in the past, and this is proof of that. This likely is just the beginning."

Read More

Chewing tobacco: Not a Safe Alternative to Cigarettes

You can call chewing tobacco by whatever name you want — smokeless tobacco, spit tobacco, chew, snuff, pinch or dip — but don't call it harmless. Whether you use chewing tobacco or other types of smokeless tobacco because you like it or because you think smokeless is safer than cigarettes, be forewarned — chewing tobacco can cause serious health problems.

Read More

Setting the Facts Straight About Smokeless Tobacco

An editorial warning about the alleged dangers of smokeless tobacco — posted on a local South Dakota news website, TheDailyRepublic.com — had ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross riled up this morning since it “contained more falsehoods and misleading statements in the fewest words that I’ve had the displeasure to read recently.”

The editorial castigates the tobacco industry, specifically R.J. Reynolds Inc., for its newly launched ad campaign for Camel Snus, which the author wrongly asserts is a smokeless brand of chewing tobacco. In fact, it isn’t — it’s a moist tobacco product in a tiny pouch that doesn’t involve either chewing or spitting.

And what’s wrong with the ad campaign anyway? asks Dr. Ross. “The difference between the Camel Snus ads and their predecessors is that they’re actually advising smokers to switch from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco, while other ads have simply stated, ‘If you can’t smoke inside, enjoy this product instead.’”

The editorial also states that smokeless tobacco use has increased nearly 7 percent annually, something ACSH has known and believes to be very good news in terms of public health.

The author then concludes: “Hopefully, more people will consider dropping the habit altogether, rather than simply switching to an equally risky form of tobacco.”

Though we’d agree with the first part of that statement — the best use of tobacco products is no use — the reality is that, among addicted smokers, smokeless tobacco products are associated with the lowest risk of adverse health effects. “How do we reduce the toll of tobacco related disease, which according to the World Health Organization, kills nearly six million people globally?” asks Dr. Ross. “One solution is to get smokers to switch to cleaner nicotine delivery systems, such as snus.”

And on that note, we’re happy to relay the news that Philip Morris International Inc. has purchased a patent for an aerosol nicotine-delivery system developed by Jed Rose, director of the Center for Nicotine and Smoking Cessation Research at Duke University in Durham, N.C.

As one of the original researchers who helped develop commercial nicotine patches for use as smoking cessation treatments in the early 1980s, Dr. Rose explains why this new generation of smokeless tobacco products will only serve to benefit addicted smokers: “By avoiding the burning process altogether, finding a way of giving smokers nicotine to inhale but without those toxic substances...we can reduce the death and disease associated with smoking.”

ACSH friend David Sweanor, a Canadian law professor and tobacco expert, reiterates this important point: “We know that people smoke for the nicotine and die from the smoke” — which is why Dr. Ross says it is so important to develop and manufacture quality-controlled smokeless tobacco products to reduce the risk of smoking-related disease. As far as we’re concerned, TheDailyRepublic.com can put that in their pipe and smoke it.

Read More

Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline Fact Sheet

Like cigarette smoking, the use of smokeless or spit tobacco produces nicotine addiction and is associated with serious health consequences.  Compared to other states, Oklahoma has a high rate of smokeless tobacco use, more than 20% among high school males and nearly 8% among adult men in Oklahoma.  Quitting smokeless tobacco is not easy.  Smokeless tobacco delivers a high dose of nicotine, about twice that of a cigarette.  In many ways, quitting smokeless tobacco is a lot like quitting smoking. Both involve the physical and psychological parts of addiction. But there are two parts of quitting that are unique for smokeless tobacco users: a stronger need for oral substitutes (having something in the mouth) to take the place of the chew, snuff, or pouch, and a more readily visible benefit of quitting through the disappearance of mouth sores and gum problems caused by the smokeless tobacco.

<!--more-->

Since the launch of the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline in August 2003 through September 2007, 1451 smokeless tobacco (SLT) users registered for cessation services with the Helpline.  About half of them (55%) were also smokers.  This report focuses on exclusive smokeless tobacco (SLT) users (n=657) and describes their demographic and tobacco use characteristics, satisfaction with the Helpline and success quitting.

Most of the SLT registrants to the Helpline were male (94%), white (81%), and non-Hispanic (96%).  The characteristics of SLT users registering with the Helpline are somewhat different than those of smokers registering for services.  The age distribution of SLT users was younger than smokers who registered with the Helpline, with 35% less than 35 years and another 38% in the 35-44 year category.  On average, only 50% of smokers registering with the Helpline are less than 45 years of age.  Almost two-thirds of SLT users were married (63%) which is also dramatically higher than what is observed among cigarette smokers (about 38%).  SLT users were also more likely to be college graduates (22%) compared to smokers (10%).  While the proportion reporting income less than $20,000 per year was similar among SLT users and smokers (about 37%), a higher proportion of SLT users reported incomes greater than $35,000 as compared to smokers (30% versus 12%).

SLT users who register with the Helpline are asked a limited number of questions about their tobacco use.  Nearly all of the SLT users reported using SLT daily (97%), and about 42% reported using three or more tins of tobacco per week.

About a third of SLT users enrolled in the single call intervention (34%), while the other 66% received the multiple call program.  Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is available from the Helpline to multiple call intervention participants who are uninsured or Medicare recipients.  Since September 2004, when this Helpline service became available, 307 SLT users (71% of SLT multiple call participants) have received the multiple call program plus NRT from the Helpline.

To determine satisfaction with services and success with quit attempts, a sample of callers to the Helpline is selected monthly to participate in follow-up telephone surveys conducted by the University of Oklahoma College of Public Health.  An over-sample of Helpline registrants who report smokeless tobacco use only is selected to increase the sample size for the follow-up.  The 4-month follow-up call includes an assessment of both satisfaction with services and abstinence from tobacco use.  Abstinence from tobacco use is measured again at 7 and 13 months post-registration. 

Satisfaction with services among SLT users from July 2005 through June 2007 was high, with 91% reporting being satisfied with the Helpline.  This satisfaction rate is somewhat lower than what is reported by all Helpline participants (95%).  Given the greater proportion of SLT users who receive the single call intervention, it is not surprising that their satisfaction rates are somewhat lower.  Prior studies have demonstrated lower satisfaction rates among single call participants.

Figure 1.  Satisfaction with Helpline services among SLT users at four-month follow-up

          

One measure of the effectiveness of the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is 30-day abstinence rates. At the 4-month follow-up survey, 35% of SLT users receiving Helpline intervention report not using tobacco for 30 days or longer (Figure 2).  This proportion drops slightly at the 7-month follow-up (31%), and again at the 13-month follow-up (25%).  It is important to note that sample size is relatively small at the 13-month follow-up (n=40).    

Figure 2.  SLT users abstinent 30 or more days at follow-up

The quit rates observed for SLT participants in the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline are similar to what is observed for cigarette smokers in the follow-up sample.  In addition, the quit rates reported here far exceed the quit rates for “cold turkey” (approximately 5%).

Smokeless tobacco users (SLT) represent a population of tobacco users with somewhat unique characteristics—predominantly white, younger, males.  Despite the fact that the Helpline has not specifically marketed its services to SLT users, nearly 1500 have registered for cessation services through the Helpline, which includes specific coaching and materials to address their form of tobacco addiction.  As a result, SLT users report similar satisfaction and quit rates as those reported for cigarette smokers.  The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline continues to demonstrate that it provides a robust set of services, with consistent satisfaction and quit success across multiple types of tobacco users in the state.

source:http://www.ok.gov/tset/Press_Room/Facts/FS_-_OTH_Smokeless_Tobacco_Users.html

Read More

5 Important Smokeless Tobacco Facts

As the term suggests, smokeless tobacco describes a variety of tobacco products that are not smoked by the consumer.

1. Smokeless Tobacco Contains Harmful Chemicals 
Smokeless tobacco is known to contain 28 carcinogens, including very high levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). TSNAs are known to be some of the most potent carcinogens present in chewing tobacco, snuff and tobacco smoke. Other cancer-causing substances in smokeless tobacco include:

2. Smokeless Tobacco Products Cause Cancer 
Smokeless tobacco users also face an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

3. Smokeless Tobacco Is Addictive 
Dip and chewing tobacco contain more nicotine that commercially manufactured cigarettes. A typical dose of nicotine in snuff is 3.6 milligrams (mg); in chewing tobacco, the amount of nicotine is closer to 4.5 mg. Compared to an average of 1 to 2 mg of nicotine in a commercially produced cigarette, the difference is significant.

4. Smokeless Tobacco Causes Gum Disease, Bone Loss, Leukoplakia and Tooth Decay 
Permanent gum recession and bone loss where the tobacco rests Tooth decay from the sugar used to enhance the flavor of smokeless tobacco

5. Smokeless Tobacco and Other Health Problems 
While the results are inconclusive at this time, researchers are reviewing possible links between smokeless tobacco and heart disease, high blood pressure, the risk of stroke and diabetes.

Smokeless Tobacco and Harm Reduction 

Smokeless tobacco is less deadly than cigarette smoking -- there is no disputing that. That said, smokeless tobacco poses serious risks to the user that do not make this class of tobacco product a safe alternative to smoking.

Cigarette smoking is part addiction to nicotine and part habit, born out of many years of associating smoking with every activity we have in our daily lives.

Smokeless Tobacco As a Quit Aid Quit Aids:
Know Your Choices Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), which contain nicotine but none of the other hazardous chemicals present in tobacco products, are a better choice for a nicotine-based quit aid. Addicted to Nicotine Gum Some forms of tobacco are more hazardous than others, but all tobacco products carry risks to the user that include addiction and potentially deadly health issues. We all deserve freedom from nicotine addiction.

Read More

Smokeless Tobacco Definition

As the term suggests, smokeless tobacco refers to the various tobacco products which don't release smoke like cigarettes do. of the various types available, the two most common chewing tobacco and snuff - with the latter being more popular among the two.

While chewing tobacco comes in form of dry leaf, plug and roll, snuff comes in form of moist, dry and sachet. Among these various forms, the use of smokeless tobacco in the form of moist snuff and dry leaf (chewing tobacco) is most common, and has a market share of 73.2 and 24.1 percent respectively.

There exist numerous misconceptions about these products, including the most popular myth that this practice is safer than the practice of smoking cigarettes. The fact of the matter is that tobacco in any form can be harmful for your health, and therefore is best avoided. The lengthy list of diseases caused by tobacco includes some of the major diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases, other than a range of oral health problems.

Read More