The good news is that cigarette sales are declining, and the better news is that some of that success may be attributed to a rise in the popularity of smokeless tobacco products. At least that s the hope of Altria Group Inc, a giant tobacco company that has recently cranked up its production of smokeless tobacco products in the U.S. As tobacco-related diseases take their toll on smokers, some have decided to make the switch from cigarettes to other cleaner nicotine delivery systems. And since these smokeless tobacco products are much less harmful than cigarettes, Dr. Whelan is excited to hear that their sales are increasing.
This confirms what we ve predicted: that tobacco companies are seeing fewer cigarette smokers, so they re moving into another market with smokeless tobacco products, says ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan. Though some may say such a transition is terrible, we at ACSH have long condoned the manufacture of these products, since they provide a safer alternative to smoking for smokers who may be otherwise unable to quit.
ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross agrees that emphasizing the benefit of less hazardous tobacco products will benefit public health in a major way. This is a recipe for lowering tobacco-related health effects, as I predict will be documented over the next five plus years.