R.J. Reynolds' Richard Smith: Dissolvable Tobacco Products Are Indeed Not Candy

Source from:  Madison 12/26/2011

Dear Editor: "Big Tobacco's toxic outreach to the young" in your Dec. 8 issue urges parents to be aware of various forms of tobacco and to keep them away from their children. We could not agree more. It is a guiding principle and belief of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company that youth should not use tobacco products. That applies to all tobacco products, including Camel dissolvables - Sticks, Strips and Orbs - which are made for and marketed to adult tobacco consumers. And while tobacco products are available in thousands of retail outlets, they are kept behind the sales counter, requiring a clerk's assistance to access them. In addition, their sale is age-restricted, requiring proof of age before purchase, and Camel dissolvables are clearly labeled as "Dissolvable Tobacco." Those who keep referring to dissolvable tobacco products as "candy" or "mints" risk tainting the public discourse about these products with information that is demonstrably false. Richard Smith Manager, Communications Reynolds American Services Company Jeff Golden responds: Since Camel Sticks and Orbs are being test marketed in limited locations, it is unclear how they will be classified when and if they get to Wisconsin. One problem is that new product development in the tobacco industry is far outpacing the state's ability to respond with clear regulations. One would hope Mr. Smith is correct and that these new products will be subject to the same restricted accessibility as cigarettes and chewing tobacco products. But however this placement issue gets worked out, we are still left with these other products like flavored cigars and cigarillos that are indeed exempt from accessibility restrictions. And we are also left with the fact that many of these products are packaged to mimic candy, and are clearly being promoted to a youth audience. Just look at the Facebook promotional materials. So I don't think that I am "tainting the public discourse" to point out if they are indeed not candy or mints and "are made for and marketed to adult tobacco consumers," why are these products being packaged to resemble candy and mints? Enditem