The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention says smokeless tobacco, like that found in RJ Reynolds newest smokeless tobacco product, Camel Snus, contains 28 cancer causing agents and is not a safe substitue for smoking cigarettes.
The tobacco company is targeting individuals who resolve to quit smoking in 2011 suggesting that they switch to smokeless tobacco pouches. Matthew Myers, President-Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says “These ads are trying to take advantage of the fact that around the first of every year many people try to quit smoking altogether. These ads aren’t designed to help people quit, they’re designed to keep people using tobacco.”
The Food & Drug Administration, which regulates tobacco advertising, is reviewing the Reynolds ad campaign which includes ads showing the tobacco-filled white pouches falling from the sky like confetti and one featuring the product ringed into a holiday wreath.
Tobacco companies are experiencing declining revenues from cigarette sales as a result of rising taxes, smoking bans and declining social acceptability, so it is no suprise that they have stepped-up the marketing of their smokeless tobacco products.
