Smokeless Tobacco: The Next Generation Niki Sue Mueller

The Story Continues…

Big Tobacco Enters Smokeless Market

Harm Reduction Strategy Harm reduction is a term used by the tobacco industry referring to a “strategy that encourages tobacco users who cannot or will not quit smoking to switch to an alternative nicotine-delivery product that is potentially less harmful than their regular product,” (Robins R, ed. The Seduction of Harm Reduction: Proceedings from the September 2004 Summit. Sacramento, CA: Department of Health Services; 2005)

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco’s “Graduation Strategy” UST document exhibited in the Marsee vs. UST lawsuit in 1986

A smokeless tobacco user since age 12, Sean refused to believe his mother's warnings that tobacco was hazardous, smoke or no smoke.

“Graduation Strategy” “New users of smokeless tobacco... are most likely to begin with products that are milder tasting, more flavored and/or easier to control in the mouth. After a period of time, there is a natural progression of product switching to brands that are more full-bodied, less flavored, have more concentrated ‘tobacco taste’ than the entry brand.”

“Graduation Party” UST Sponsors College Parties

Industry Quotes “Moist smokeless tobacco is the only growing segment of the tobacco industry” from the UST website “Cherry Skoal is for somebody who likes the taste of candy, if you know what I am saying.” Quoted in Wall Street Journal article on UST’s marketing strategies by a former UST sales representative, Bob Deets

UST Capitalizing on “Smoke Free Environments”

Promoting Use of ST On Airplanes

As smokefree policies increase… spit tobacco use may increase, too

Ad Found in Money Magazine

What can we do now? Wyoming Through With Chew Strategic Plan 2007/2008 Wyoming Five Year Strategic Plan

Goal 1 Prevent Initiation of Smokeless Tobacco Use Through Promotion of Tobacco Free Policies, Practices and Procedures

Wyoming Business Toolkit

Goal 2 Promote Reduction in Smokeless Tobacco Use and Increased Enrollment in Wyoming Cessation Services Among Youth and Adults

Wyoming Quit Services

Goal 3 Counter Pro-Tobacco Influences by Reducing Exposure to Tobacco Advertising and Product Placement and Increasing Awareness of Tobacco Sponsorship and Marketing Techniques

Project AWARE This project allows community-based tobacco prevention and control programs to help states' Attorney General offices monitor whether U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. (USSTC) is complying with the terms of the Smokeless Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (STMSA).

Goal 4 Identify And Reduce The Disparities Related to Smokeless Tobacco Use and its Effects Among Different Population Groups

Native American Ad for TWC Week

Goal 5 Through With Chew Week

TWC Week Activity Toolkit

Wyoming Through With Chew Team Niki Sue Mueller Janell Uhler Mark Hicks Candida Odde