"Some people have a problem with spitting," said Mark Rozelle, head of UST's investor relations. He said the non-spit chewing tobacco was designed to increase social acceptability of chewing tobacco.

UST, of Greenwich, Conn., makes the Skoal and Copenhagen chewing tobacco brands. The company predicts the new product would increase its share of the smokeless-tobacco market and build sales among smokers who are looking for a nicotine alternative.

The new non-spit chewing tobacco is expected to be similar to a Swedish product with low levels of nitrosamines, the chemical that is highly carcinogenic in humans. Although Rozelle said the company makes no health claims for the new product, anti-tobacco advocates noted there would still be health risks.

"If this it to indicate it's safer because you don't spit it, or it's not as dirty a habit, that still doesn't take away from the fact that it's tobacco and there's going to be some health consequences," said Paul Turner, the national coordinator of the National Smokeless Tobacco Education Program (NSTEP), a nonprofit organization.

He added, "Tobacco is tobacco, addiction is addiction, and a health consequence is a health consequence. Tobacco normally has carcinogens in it and I'm sure this product does, too, even if it's called spitless."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

SUBMIT A COMMENT:

Note: Comments are now held for moderator approval. More info

Name:
Comment: (limit 250 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

GUIDELINES: 
Please keep comments on-topic, courteous, clean, non-commercial, and within the word limit.
Read the complete guidelines