The Latest in Smokeless Tobacco

The latest tobacco product about to be launched in the United States is a dissolvable tobacco pellet, called Orbs. It seems that this innocent looking tobacco product will be marketed as a socially acceptable form of tobacco consumption. The new smokeless tobacco creation is seen as a marketing ploy to claw back diminishing tobacco sales in the United States. The need for product diversification is underlined by a drop in cigarette consumption of 4% last year. However, it is expected that increases in smokeless tobacco sales will more than cover for this loss. With public smoking bans widespread throughout the United States it is hoped that current smokers will use the tobacco pellet in situations where they are unable to smoke such as work, bars, or restaurants. Orbs contain less nicotine than the conventional nicotine delivery system, or cigarette, weighing in with only 0.5 to 3 mg of nicotine per pellet. Compare this to the average nicotine content of a cigarette which is about 13mg. As most smokers indulge their habit to obtain nicotine it is hard to see how this new form of smokeless tobacco will appeal to hardened nicotine addicts.

A Quit Smoking Aid?

A particular worry is that smokers may see dissolvable tobacco as a legitimate means to quit smoking. As health experts are quick to point out, there are more suitable nicotine replacement items available, for example, nicotine gum or patches, which have the advantage of not delivering a battery of carcinogens.

Don't Worry- It Comes With A Health Warning

It hasn't gone unnoticed that the product packaging is similar to that of a certain breath mint, raising the concern that they may have an appeal to younger consumers. Current legislation mandates that the packaging should contain a health warning covering 30% of the container- a message clearly ignored by users.

Should We Be Concerned?

The main and proven health hazard of smokeless tobacco is oral cancer. In fact one of the four potential health warnings on the packet truthfully states: 'This product can cause mouth cancer.' A cancer which often requires surgery to remove soft tissue and bone. Anyone who doubts the ultimate consequences of using smokeless tobacco is well advised to undertake a Google image search for oral cancer. A quick look at the ravages of the disease should be enough to put the hardened smoker off the habit. But we all know that this won't happen. Nicotine addicts will ignore the warnings and continue with their deadly habit.