RICHMOND, Va. -- New smokeless tobacco sticks from two Altria Group Inc. subsidiaries have begun test marketing in Kansas.
"If you look at some of the research that we've seen, we know that about a quarter of all adult cigarette smokers are interested in smokeless tobacco alternatives to cigarettes," Ken Garcia, spokesman for the company, told Tobacco E-News.
The Marlboro version of the sticks being tested by Philip Morris USA is geared toward those consumers, he added. The wooden sticks are about two-and-a-half inches long, and are coated with finely milled tobacco two-thirds [image-nocss] of the way. The other third serves is exposed wood for holding the product.
"You enjoy the tobacco that's on there, and then once you're done with it, you take the stick out and dispose it in the trash," Garcia explains.
The Marlboro product comes in rich, original, cool and smooth mint flavors.
A similar Skoal product from U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company was introduced because many adult dippers are interested in spit-free tobacco products. The Skoal version is available in rich, original, mint and smooth mint flavors.
The two different products have "slight variations" that focus on the taste and flavor profiles that respective Marlboro and Skoal users are looking for, according to Garcia.
The sticks are being tested in "very limited distribution" at select stores throughout Kansas, although Garcia did not elaborate on why that state was chosen.
"We're going to see how these products connect with their various new consumers, and see what we can learn about adult smokers' and adult dippers' preferences there."
Garcia declined to comment on whether a recent FDA notification that Glen Allen, Va.-based Star Scientific's dissolvables don't fall under tobacco products--as outlined under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act--could have implications for the sticks. He did say, however, "It is important to remember that the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act provides a framework for FDA to evaluate new products."
He added, "PM USA's and USSTC's approach to the introduction of Marlboro Smokeless Tobacco Sticks and Skoal Smokeless Tobacco Sticks is consistent with this framework, and PM USA and USSTC have provided the required product information to FDA."
Richmond, Va.-based Altria directly or indirectly owns 100% of each of PM USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. LLC, John Middleton Co., Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Ltd., and PMCC. Altria holds a continuing economic and voting interest in SABMiller plc.
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