Stay Informed

Sign up for news & alerts

Already signed up?
Login here
What Can I Do?


Get Help
Need alcohol or drug help for yourself or someone else? GET HELP
Continuing Education
Free online courses for addiction counselors LEARN ONLINE
Resources
Resources
Find useful publications, online documents & more.


DrugScreening.org


 
R.J. Reynolds Tests Dissolvable Camel-Branded Tobacco Products
October 9, 2008

Share Share Email
Email
Print
Print
SubscribeSubscribe
News Summary

R.J. Reynolds will introduce 'dissolvable' tobacco products in test markets next year as well as expanding national distribution of its new smokeless tobacco product, Camel Snus, Brandweek reported Oct. 8.

The new Camel Dissolvables include Camel Sticks, Camel Orbs, and Camel Strips. The products purportedly melt in the mouth within three to 15 minutes. RJR said the Strips melt fastest, the toothpick-like Sticks dissolve in about 10 minutes, and the pellet-size Orbs last the longest.

The nicotine delivery of the products is said to be high: whereas a cigarette smoker typically takes in about 1 milligram of nicotine, the Camel Dissolvables are said to deliver about 0.6 to 3.1 mg of nicotine each.

The three Camel Dissolvable products will be sold in Columbus, Ohio, Portland, Ore., and Indianapolis. Reynolds reportedly wants to determine which of the three products is most popular, and among whom.

Reynolds said the dissolvable products were developed in response to negative customer feedback in 2006 regarding other smokeless products: even the spitless Camel Snus ("snoose") must be removed from the mouth after consumption.

The company has said it will not advertise the dissolvables as less harmful than smoking. "The consumer should be aware...about the potential risks of each tobacco product. There are none that are safe and there are none that are without risks," said David Howard, a Reynolds spokesperson.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Bob H on 07 Nov 08 04:57 PM EST
The tobacco companies have been acquring food/candy companies for years. They have been putting out candy counterfits for decades. This is just the newest invention to hook a new generation by by-passing the obvious stigmas of a smoking tobacco product!

Posted by Carl C. on 13 Oct 08 01:32 PM EDT
this whole 'delivery system' sounds really weird to me. I also agree with the other writer that we should be trying to get people to stop putting nicotine in the body. Chewing gum for nicotine consumption? My goodness!!

Posted by B. L. Reaves on 13 Oct 08 01:18 PM EDT
Re: Marti Pausback There isn't, but there is a connection to the other cigarette giant Phillip Morris. They also own Kraft Foods Inc. who use to make the Life Savers and Altoids mints from Kraft Foods, but was recently bought out by Wrigley Jr. Co. Kraft Foods is still the second-largest food and beverage company headquartered in North America (behind PepsiCo) and the third largest in the world (after Nestlé SA and PepsiCo). The Philip Morris Company (now known as Altria Group), acquired Kraft for $12.9 billion in 1988, eventually merging it with another food subsidiary, General Foods, which it had acquired in 1985. In 2000, Philip Morris acquired Nabisco and merged it with Kraft. In 2004, Wrigley purchased the Life Savers and Altoids businesses from Kraft Foods who now make the Orbs gum. So, there is a connection and I don't think it's coincidence that the marketing brands are similar. Just makes you think.

Posted by Marti Pausback on 10 Oct 08 01:53 PM EDT
I have chewing gum paranoia. Does the Wriglies Gum Company have any connection to R J Reynolds? I find it very suspicious that Wrigleys has product line of gum called "Orbit” This sounds very similar to "Camel Orbs”. Wrigley’s also have a new brand titled "Wrigley’s 5 Flare pack". The packaging of this product looks similar to a cigarette pack. Is Wrigley’s' doing some market training similar to what energy drinks has done with the alcohol industry? This type of marketing of gum is the perfect tool to get a market of youth ready for dissolvable nicotine. I would be interested in others thoughts about this topic.

Posted by Jim Paoni on 10 Oct 08 09:54 AM EDT
At 3mg each, one could chew up 14-20 of them to reach the lethal dosage (ld50) for adult humans of nicotine at 40-60mg. Younger human's lethal dosage would be less. Look like a very dangerous drug delivery system - hope they'll have child safety caps.

Posted by steph gray on 10 Oct 08 08:11 AM EDT
how about helping consumers get LESS nicotine so that it would be easier to quit?? greed.

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:

Comment:
(limit 200
words)
Enter this word
(help):		 Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for all, please:

  1. Keep it clean, courteous, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.

  2. Do not post promotional links to organizations, products or services, or personal requests for assistance (get help).

  3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.