R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris are both test-marketing smokeless-tobacco products as possible alternatives to smoking, USA Today reported June 8.

R.J. Reynolds is testing out Camel Snus, a U.S. derivative of a Scandinavian smokeless product, in Portland, Ore., and Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, Philip Morris will roll out Taboka in Indianapolis next month.

A 12-pack of Taboka will sell for about the same price as a pack of Marlboro cigarettes.

"We're meeting consumer demand," says R.J. Reynolds spokesperson Mark Smith. "Smoking bans are making it more difficult for adult smokers to enjoy a tobacco product."

But health experts said that smokeless product are likely to appeal mostly to nonsmokers, smokers who might otherwise quit, and smokers who would otherwise cut down because of a smoke-free workplace.