If you could ask RJ Reynolds any question, what would it be?

[ratcheer]

Never mind about my question #2. American Spirit is a wholly owned subsidiary of RJR.

Tim

[EricHill78]

Ask him what is the general response to the product in their focus groups? Do they use real Swedish snus users in the groups?

One thing I've been thinking about Chad is are we the minority overall in the US? We being Americans that enjoy real swedish snus. Do most American snus users prefer the oversweet American snus over the real thing?

[tom502]

I would suspect, their ideal focus group is smokers, not swed snus users, or even dip users. They just want their item rated by pure smokers. That's my guess anyway.

[ChaoticGemini]

I would like to know the process used to make their snus. What EXACTLY are they putting in there? How safe is it compared to the average Swedish snus? Why does the nicotine release feel so weak and do they have any plans to make a snus that would actually get someone to stop smoking?

It's not just snus users that have a problem with their flavor. I know several smokers that have tried it and can't stand how sweet it is.

[WickedKitchen]

I just lost a huge post on this thread. DSL connection failed at my office and blamo...gone. The expletives that spewed from my mouth were quite colorful.

Anyhow...my questions are:

1) Are you trying to introduce a product to compliment a smoker or a product that is meant to be a stand-alone product?
2) Why do you print on the can "0% US tobacco 100% foreign tobacco" yet no other thing about the contents?

My thoughts are that snus has a history. A long one. Millions of people use it and love it. It would be my inclination to model that product first rather than create something so vastly different. i know dip is sweet but not even close to this stuff. I don't buy the American palate line. It seems to me that you are trying to instill brand loyalty and nicotine addiction rather than a quality product. It seems as if it's intended to be used as a mint or a candy at a time when you want to smoke but cannot for whatever reason. Also it seems that the marketing for that method would be much simpler but the payoff for marketing a stand-alone product would be far greater. I bet the regulating authorities have something to do with this. I'd be shocked if they would allow any sort of verbiage that speaks to harm reduction. So far (w/ Robust) it seems that the cost and nic levels are equal to cigarettes. I bet the production cost of a tin of snus is greater than a cigarette though which is yet another hurdle. It seems to me that they don't want people to switch to snus and I can understand why. Great for business...terrible for morality.

Camel cigarettes are far better than most available in the US IMO. The snus should be too. Cigarettes taste like tobacco. Snus should too.

[WickedKitchen]

Ask him what is the general response to the product in their focus groups? Do they use real Swedish snus users in the groups?

One thing I've been thinking about Chad is are we the minority overall in the US? We being Americans that enjoy real swedish snus. Do most American snus users prefer the oversweet American snus over the real thing?

I think Tom is right about the focus group. It would make sense. I also don't think that the people in the focus group have any experience with Swedish snus and I would suspect that the rest of America has even less of a clue. Problem is you don't get a second chance to make a first impression and there might be a huge hill to climb if they reformulate. I'd also suspect that if people tried the current Camel offerings then they would think the Swedish stuff is too bland and too salty. I could be wrong. It would be interesting to know if they did a blind taste test and the results of that.

[EricHill78]

I am glad they are pushing the product because alot of folks hopefully will do the research like alot of us did and find real snus and snuson. If it wasn't for the coupons and all I would of never found it. Granted I started with the marlboro crap which I've read is much worse than the camel.

[tom502]

I have a roBUST is now, unless it really changes, it's not too bad. It's not great or anything, but the taste is not overtly sweet, right now at least. Way better than Mellow, and the Marlboro crap. But, dam! the portion is super maxi!! too big.

[Snusdog]

I'd ask them why the hell they made everyone live underground on their Mars colony and why the promo decals on their saucers are so hard to read (especially at the high speeds they travel)

Hummm..........its like they don't want us to know something

and have you ever seen a rabbinic Jew smoking a Marlborough?..................the plot just thickens