New tobacco product alarms some health officials

November 24, 2008 By VICKI SMITH , Associated Press Writer

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Skoal Snus product is racked alongside traditional spit tobacco behind the counter of a Sheetz store in Morgantown, W.Va., on Nov. 18, 2008. The folks who created Joe Camel are hoping Camel Snus will become a hit with tobacco lovers tired of being forced outside for a smoke. (AP photo/Vicki Smith)

(AP) -- They're discreet, flavorful and come in cute tin boxes with names like "frost" and "spice." And the folks who created Joe Camel are hoping Camel Snus will become a hit with tobacco lovers tired of being forced outside for a smoke. But convincing health officials and smokers like Ethan Flint that they're worth a try may take some work.

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• Keter - Nov 24, 2008
  • Rank: 3 / 5 (2)
  I can't help it, when I read "Snus" - I come up with SINUS and this sets off a memory series of a former smoker I know and his ongoing sinus miseries due to tobacco. Hardly an uncommon connection, I would think. My initial reaction to the name? "Who were the morons who picked that name?" It's on par with "Coke brings your dead relatives back to life." The ick factor is just huge. (Good, maybe it will be a deterrent.)
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• Ausjin - Nov 25, 2008
  • Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
  This is a product targeted at people who already have a strong addiction, and addicts will go to great lengths to get a fix. The name and concept are not going to affect sales much. The chewers just need to get used to the idea of, "Swallowing the juices" while smokers may consider it to not be as disgusting as chewing tobacco since there is no spitting. Thankfully, I do not see this attracting new tobacco users. Then again, it is pretty easy to start new trends with a large enough advertising budget.
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• slight_hickup - Nov 25, 2008
  • Rank: 4.5 / 5 (2)
  First of all, Snus, is not Swedish for tobacco. Tobacco in Swedish is Tobak.
  
  And second of all, now don't quote me on this, but as far as I remember (I haven't lived in Sweden for 7 years now so I could be wrong), it was pretty well established that Snus causes cancer of the gums.
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• Egnite - Nov 25, 2008
  • Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
  I'm sure most chewin tobaccos will cause cancer of the gums/mouth/throat and now that ur expected to swallow the crap, surely stomach cancer will be on the rise too.
  
  imo it'll be cheaper, safer and healthier to screw the government, corporations and idiotic legislation and just chill at home smokin a bowl :D
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