Dissolving Tobacco Hits Columbus Test Market
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Dissolving Tobacco
A new product that's advertised as cold, fresh and refreshing is hitting the Columbus market and it sounds like a soft drink or gum.COLUMBUS, Ohio—A new product that’s advertised as cold, fresh and refreshing is hitting the Columbus market and it sounds like a soft drink or gum.
But, it’s not gum and doctors think what’s in it could kill you, NBC 4‘s Colleen Marshall reported.
Columbus is a test market for the product—dissolvable tobacco—little orbs, sticks and tiny pouches that dissolve in your mouth.
The ad says you pop it under your lip, wait for the tingle and enjoy the taste for 30 minutes.
There’s no smoke or cigarette, but plenty of nicotine.
“The brain doesn’t know if it’s a cigarette or a lozenge or a strip you’re getting the nicotine from. You addict the exact same way,“ said Dr. Robert Crane, former chairman of Smoke Free Ohio.
“Do you think big tobacco is trying to create a new generation of addicts?“ Marshall asked.
“They’ve been trying to create generations of addicts successfully for the last hundred years and we have not been able to stop them,“ Crane said.
But the tobacco companies will tell you the new products are alternatives to cigarettes and for smokers who can no longer light up in public, they offer relief.
“These are marketed to adult tobacco consumers—an informed decision without bothering others, there is no second hand smoke, there’s no spitting and there’s no litter,“ said David Howard, spokesman for RJ Reynolds tobacco company.
“They may be safer for adult smokers. It melts in your mouth and not in your lungs. However, for kids, this is a much more dangerous first hook into nicotine and therein lies the rub,“ Crane said.
Crane also said kids are more vulnerable than ever. Because the administration of Gov. Ted Strickland redirected the $230 million anti-tobacco fund to provide state budget relief.
But, state health officials said they do have anti-smoking programs.
“We have a number of efforts. We have our quit line, many grants to hospitals through our community grant program and also do enforcement of smoke free Ohio,“ said Dr. Alvin Jackson, director of the Ohio Department of Health.
But, will it be enough to combat the campaign that includes a massive free handout of the new smoke free tobacco products?
“Every time we find a way to stop them in one arena, they go around,“ Jackson said.
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Reader Reactions
Almost makes me want to go buy a case to ensure that the product is successful.
...and I don’t use snuff of any kind.
I see he admitted to the gum being addicting.
The nanny is losing his touch.
Honestly, I don’t know which is more exciting, this new product or Dr Crane and his merry band of private property thieves getting kicked to the curb…makes me want to burst out in a song, Oh Happy Days
Crane does have that megalomania down to a T.
“We’ve been fighting 100 years”.
Wonder where he hides that portrait that keeps him from aging?
He’s got that pinched nanny look, but he doesn’t quite look to be 100.
Way to go RJR, I’m looking forward to trying your new product. Does anyone know where I can get som in Columbus and the cost. Maybe RJR will be so popular that JnJ will qualify for a stimulus, I sure hope so. I hate Nazi nanny’s
I’m still laughing at how incensed and indignant Dr’s Crane and Jackson act.
How are you going to ban this, guys?
I know a TON of bars and clubs that are losing money hand over fist. Maybe they can get these in their bars so they’ll actually survive Ohio’s insane ban.
How are you Health Nazis going to stop this one? Are you going to rush into bars and make patrons open their mouths to do your inspections?
Crane took a lot of work away from us in the bars with his little smoking ban.
You want to know why?
He is also a higher up in MADD.
This nanny knows no limits. I’m sorry some of you drank his Kool Aid in 2004 here in Cowtown.
According to NBC4i:
“A new product that’s advertised as cold, fresh and refreshing”
According to Nicorette website:
“Each piece of Nicorette gum replaces some of the nicotine your body and brain are used to getting. Nicorette comes in 6 flavors:
• White Ice™ Mint—helps whiten teeth while you use it, coated for a cool mint flavor
• Cinnamon Surge™—coated for an intense rush of bold cinnamon flavor
• Fruit Chill™—coated twice for an intense fruit flavor with a hint of mint
• FreshMint™—coated for a delicious burst of mint flavor
• Mint
• Original”
So what’s the difference?
The difference is who’s profitting.
If smoking bans have been about “supposed” secondhand smoke, then why would he be upset that this product doesn’t infringe on anyone else? Because #1 Dr. Crane makes his money from getting people to QUIT!!
Please tell me how this is any different than the patches, gum and lozenges? HERE’S HOW - Guess who sells the ONLY over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy products? Johnson & Johnson. (Nicorette, Nicoderm and Commit). Ask Dr. Crane who PAID for Ohio’s smoking ban. According to “official” records, the American Cancer Society. But who funneled money to THEM? A “non” profit foundation that is anything but NON profit. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation PAID for Ohio’s smoking ban and most other states’ bans. They gave “grants” for these bans. Now, why would the RWJF want so very much to help people to quit smoking? Because the RWJF owned, as of last year, over 35 MILLION SHARES of Johnson & Johnson stock. Starting to see a pattern here? Why do you THINK they’re upset? Because now RJReynolds is cutting into their business with their OWN NRT. This is HILLARIOUS!!! Ask Dr. Jackson about the RWJF. He’s an award winner from the RWJF (with cash attached). Ask Dr. Jackson who gave the Ohio Dept. of Health a $150,000 grant 6 DAYS after the ban passed.
This is so corrupt. They talk about kids getting RJR’s product? What about the kids that have been poisoned by the patch? http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/nicotine?utm_source=smoking&utm_ad=smoking&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=adam&utm_term=test for nicotine
Or how about all the people who are more addicted to Nicorette Gum than they ever were to cigarettes? Or the high blood pressure, SEVERE hair loss, skin lesions from the gum? http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=18612&name=NICORETTE&page=1
You people are HYPOCRATES!!! It’s all about selling YOUR form of nicotine. Shame on all of you. Shame for your greed. Shame for LYING on the ballot to get your ban. And most of all, SHAME on you for saying this ban doesn’t hurt the hospitality industry!!
You’re all going to be exposed for your parts in this charade.
Dr crane, whats the difference? At least the tobacco co’s are honest and not claiming and pushing nicotine for nicotine as a way to quit smoking. Bring it on, JnJ needs competition, notice the tingle LOL
GENERIC NAME: NICOTINE GUM (NICK-oh-teen)
BRAND NAME(S): Nicorette
USES: This medication is used as a temporary aid to stop smoking.
HOW TO USE: You must stop smoking completely before using this medication. Chew a piece of gum when you feel the urge to smoke. Chew the gum very slowly for 30 minutes to release all of the nicotine. Most people use about 10 to 12 pieces of gum per day during the first month of therapy. Do not chew more than 30 pieces of gum a day. You will use less gum as the urge to smoke decreases. During the first month, the risk of smoking again is the highest. Follow a smoking cessation program and continue to use this gum as directed. Do not smoke while using this gum.
SIDE EFFECTS: Because this gum contains nicotine, it has a peppery-like taste. It may cause a tingling sensation when chewed.
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