West Virginia Gazette:
April 1, 2009
Bill would bar sales of dissolvable tobacco
In 2007, public health officials in West Virginia warned consumers about "snus," ground tobacco packaged in a teabag-like pouch. Now, some lawmakers want to draw more attention to the growing variety of smokeless tobacco products.
By Alison Knezevich
Staff writer
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In 2007, public health officials in West Virginia warned consumers about "snus," ground tobacco packaged in a teabag-like pouch. Now, some lawmakers want to draw more attention to the growing variety of smokeless tobacco products.
A bill approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday would bar the sale of "dissolvable tobacco products" in West Virginia.
Sen. Mike Oliverio, D-Monongalia, said it was highly unlikely the bill would pass this late in the legislative session. But he introduced it to start a discussion about the increasing use of smokeless tobacco products among teens, he said.
"I just thought we should start a public debate," he said.
Earlier this week, members of the teen anti-tobacco group Raze visited the Capitol for Tobacco Free Day, he said. Students from Oliverio's district told him about new dissolvable tobacco products, which take the form of dissolvable sticks, strips, and tablets.
The kids said some teens use the smokeless tobacco products while sitting in class, Oliverio said.
"It's scary stuff out there," he said.
One of the newest products are Camel Orbs, dissolvable tobacco tablets packaged like mints. They hit the shelves in January.
So far, the product is only available in three U.S. cities, said R.J Reynolds Tobacco Co. spokesman David Howard: Columbus, Ohio; Portland, Ore. and Indianapolis.
They are made of finely milled tobacco and food-grade binders, he said.
"These types of products, we believe, meet the needs of adult smokers," Howard said.
Howard said such products let smokers use tobacco in places where smoking is prohibited - like restaurants and offices - while "meeting societal expectations."
"There's no spitting required," he said. "They don't have secondhand smoke. And they fully dissolve, so there's no litter."
When asked about health risks, Howard said he wasn't aware of any studies specific to dissolvable tobacco.
"We are not making any health claims," he said. "No tobacco product has been shown to be without risk."
Dissolvable tobacco products are age-restricted, sold behind counters and contain warning labels, he said.
"It's clear that these are tobacco products," he said. "And they are marketed as such, and sold as such."
Reach Alison Knezevich at alis...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1240.
April 1, 2009
Bill would bar sales of dissolvable tobacco
In 2007, public health officials in West Virginia warned consumers about "snus," ground tobacco packaged in a teabag-like pouch. Now, some lawmakers want to draw more attention to the growing variety of smokeless tobacco products.
By Alison Knezevich
Staff writer
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In 2007, public health officials in West Virginia warned consumers about "snus," ground tobacco packaged in a teabag-like pouch. Now, some lawmakers want to draw more attention to the growing variety of smokeless tobacco products.
A bill approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday would bar the sale of "dissolvable tobacco products" in West Virginia.
Sen. Mike Oliverio, D-Monongalia, said it was highly unlikely the bill would pass this late in the legislative session. But he introduced it to start a discussion about the increasing use of smokeless tobacco products among teens, he said.
"I just thought we should start a public debate," he said.
Earlier this week, members of the teen anti-tobacco group Raze visited the Capitol for Tobacco Free Day, he said. Students from Oliverio's district told him about new dissolvable tobacco products, which take the form of dissolvable sticks, strips, and tablets.
The kids said some teens use the smokeless tobacco products while sitting in class, Oliverio said.
"It's scary stuff out there," he said.
One of the newest products are Camel Orbs, dissolvable tobacco tablets packaged like mints. They hit the shelves in January.
So far, the product is only available in three U.S. cities, said R.J Reynolds Tobacco Co. spokesman David Howard: Columbus, Ohio; Portland, Ore. and Indianapolis.
They are made of finely milled tobacco and food-grade binders, he said.
"These types of products, we believe, meet the needs of adult smokers," Howard said.
Howard said such products let smokers use tobacco in places where smoking is prohibited - like restaurants and offices - while "meeting societal expectations."
"There's no spitting required," he said. "They don't have secondhand smoke. And they fully dissolve, so there's no litter."
When asked about health risks, Howard said he wasn't aware of any studies specific to dissolvable tobacco.
"We are not making any health claims," he said. "No tobacco product has been shown to be without risk."
Dissolvable tobacco products are age-restricted, sold behind counters and contain warning labels, he said.
"It's clear that these are tobacco products," he said. "And they are marketed as such, and sold as such."
Reach Alison Knezevich at alis...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1240.
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