The US Food and Drug Administration is being urged by The Heartland Institute to recognize the reduced harm of Camel Snus products
The FDA recently issued a ‘public comment of modified risk tobacco product applications (MRTPAs) for six Camel Snus smokeless tobacco products submitted by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company’.
In a comment to the FDA, Lindsey Stroud, state government relations manager at the Institute said the Institute had researched the effects of smokeless tobacco and tobacco harm reduction products for more than 20 years.
‘According to our research, the smoke in combustible cigarettes poses the biggest threat to smokers,’ Stroud said. ‘Therefore, smokeless tobacco can deliver nicotine more safely. Evidence indicates snus products, including Camel Snus, deliver nicotine effectively without the associated harms of combustible cigarettes.
‘FDA recognizes a continuum of risk among tobacco products: Combustible cigarettes are the most harmful and smokeless tobacco and snus are less harmful. However, despite this acknowledgement, FDA regulations prevent snus manufacturers from marketing their products as less harmful than combustible cigarettes. In fact, the warnings required on snus products misinform the public.
‘Therefore, The Heartland Institute urges FDA to regulate Camel Snus products and combustible cigarettes differently.
‘Because FDA has recognized and accepted the continuum of harm posed by different tobacco products, FDA should approve the modified risk tobacco product application. Approving the application would clarify the health effects of different tobacco products and hopefully incentivize smokers to quit using combustible cigarettes.’
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