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Smokeless Tobacco Study Weighed By Kansas Lawmakers In R.J. Reynolds-Backed Resolution 

• Smokeless Tobacco Study Weighed By Kansas Lawmakers In R.J. Reynolds-Backed Resolution 

Kansas lawmakers are considering a resolution that would require state health officials to conduct a study about the health effects of smokeless tobacco, potentially allowing the state to market smokeless tobacco as a healthier alternative to cigarette smoking.

The Federal and State Affairs Committee of Kansas' House of Representatives has been debating a measure that would require the state's Department of Health and Environment to conduct a study of the health effects of using smokeless tobacco -- commonly known as chewing tobacco -- to determine if it is safer than cigarette smoking.

One goal of the resolution is for the state health department to ultimately make a recommendation to the legislature as to whether Kansas should promote smokeless tobacco over cigarette smoking. The Kansas proposal follows the passage of recent similar resolutions in Nebraska, Indiana and Kentucky -- all backed by R.J. Reynolds.

Richard J. Smith, a spokesman for R.J. Reynolds, confirmed that his company has been encouraging the state-based studies. Such studies are in keeping with the company's "tobacco harm reduction" strategy, he told HuffPost. R.J. Reynolds has found scientific evidence showing that chewing tobacco does not pose the same health risks as cigarette smoking, he said.

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British American Tobacco Wants Tougher Laws Against Smugglers  

Chewing tobacco poses health risks 

Dear Dr. Reitz: My son plays on a college baseball team. While playing baseball in high school he would chew on sunflower seeds; in college he has switched to chewing tobacco. I am concerned how this may affect his health. He said everyone on the team does it and that it's not as dangerous as smoking. - Joan

Dear Joan: Chewing tobacco, also known as dip, chew, snuff or smokeless tobacco is still tobacco and has many of the same health risks. Like cigarettes, chewing tobacco also contains nicotine - an addictive drug. It is estimated that holding an average-size dip in the mouth for just 30 minutes can deliver as much nicotine as smoking three cigarettes. It's the nicotine addiction that can make quitting difficult.

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• Safety fears over electronic cigarettes because they are 'unclean' and unregulated  

Health experts are demanding tighter controls on electronic cigarettes amid fears customers could be exposed to poisonous chemicals.

The nicotine vapour inhaler devices are not subject regulation, and fears are growing that people could be subjected to 'unclean' and 'unsafe' products.

The devices hit the headlines earlier this year when it emerged Standard Life had banned its employees from smoking 'e-cigs' at their desks.

Nicotine vapour inhalers are mostly imported from China and do not undergo inspections

Many of the electronic cigarette brands readily available in the UK are imported without control and inspection from other countries, including China.

E-cigs do not contain tobacco and therefore are not regulated by Tobacco Product Regulations, they are also not classed as medical devices so can not be regulated in the same way as other nicotine replacement products.

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Pressure to disqualify tobacco study for award 

Pressure is mounting on China's Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) to refuse to consider a tobacco research program for a top science award, after the World Health Organization (WHO) stepped into the debate.

China Tobacco (China National Tobacco Corporation), affiliated to the State Tobacco Monopoly, has applied to have its research into supposedly less harmful cigarettes included on a list of initiatives up for the 2012 National Award for Science and Technology. Its application is open to appeals until early May.

Chinese health experts have attacked China Tobacco's potential crowning, saying the recognition would violate the spirit of the award, under which it is clearly stated that research considered should not be against the protection of public health.

But a spokesman for the MST said earlier that new research in the tobacco sector is praiseworthy if it can reduce the harm brought about by smoking.

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Re: Comments on the Institute of Medicine Report, "Scientific Standards for Studies on Modified Risk Tobacco Products" (PDF) 

Altria Client Services Inc. ("ALCS"), on behalf of Philip Morris USA Inc. ("PM USA") and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC ("USSTC"),1 submits these comments on the abovereferenced report that the Institute of Medicine ("IOM") released to the public on December 14, 2011 (the "IOM Report"). 2

The Food and Drug Administration ("FDA" or "Agency") has solicited input on the scientific standards needed to evaluate potential modified risk tobacco product ("MRTP") applications from a variety of stakeholders, including the IOM.3 We previously provided the Agency with our perspective on the guiding principles and relevant studies for the evaluation of MRTPs.4 We recognize that the Agency is still considering this matter as it prepares to issue either draft guidance or regulations by April 1, 2012. We write to provide the Agency our high-level perspective on the IOM Report, highlighting the key areas of alignment and disagreement with the IOM Report.

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• 22nd Century Group to File Modified Risk Cigarette Applications with the FDA 

22nd Century Group, Inc. (OTCBB: XXII), a company focused on tobacco harm reduction and smoking cessation, announced that applications will be filed with the FDA for two types of modified risk cigarettes in accordance with the FDA’s March 30, 2012 Draft Guidance on Modified Risk Tobacco Product Applications. 22nd Century also issued the following comments on the FDA’s draft guidance, including the company’s position that availability of less hazardous cigarettes should complement efforts to prevent the initiation of tobacco use and encourage smoking cessation in the interest of promoting public health.

"We expect to demonstrate to the FDA that BRAND A and BRAND B reduce exposure to tobacco smoke. If the dose of smoke inhaled is reduced significantly, reduced risk is expected."

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E-cigarettes evaluated: Are they worth it?  

• Star Scientific Applauds the FDA Draft Guidance on Disclosure of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Tobacco Toxins; Comment on Dissolvable Tobacco Products Summary Report 

Star Scientific, Inc. (NASDAQ: CIGX) issued the following comments on the March 30, 2012 FDA Draft Guidance on Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents in Tobacco Products under Section 904 of the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act ("Tobacco Act") and the Summary Report of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee ("TPSAC") posted by the FDA on March 21st.

The FDA Tobacco Act requires a list of harmful and potentially harmful toxins in tobacco that is understandable and not misleading to lay persons be developed and FDA has stated that it will make such information available by April 2013. Under the draft guidance issued by FDA last week, companies, as part of that process, will be required to report on, among other constituents, amounts of tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs - NNNs and NNKs) in their tobacco products.

Star Scientific believes it has been the industry leader for well over a decade in developing cutting edge, patented, curing technology that results in tobacco products with greatly reduced levels of TSNAs (NNNs and NNKs), known to be important carcinogens , in tobacco smoke and leaf. That technology has been affirmed by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and through the PTO re-examination process. Further, Star has continued to refine its technology, and recently the PTO allowed additional claims for its curing technology, which enables Star to produce tobacco that contains virtually undetectable levels of TSNAs, as measured by prevailing standards.

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Report: Dissolvable tobacco products safer  

• 15 Strategies for Mindful Smoking  

If you decided to take the path of harm reduction, either as a short-term mindful-smoking sabbatical (as you gear up for the next attempt at quitting) or an open-ended, long-term harm-reduction commitment, you will have to learn how to get more out of less. To do so, you’ll have to shift from mindless smoking to mindful smoking. Here are 15 strategies to consider (from Smoke-Free Smoke Break).

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FDA Takes New Steps in 'Tobacco Epidemic' Fight - Tobacco - Convenience Store News 

Modified Risk Tobacco Products (MRTPs) 

• Obama administration takes action to address tobacco epidemic 

Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released two separate draft guidance documents to help fight the tobacco epidemic and stop children from using tobacco. The draft guidance documents implement provisions of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act that will ultimately provide the public with previously unknown information about the chemicals in tobacco products and help prevent misleading marketing about the risks associated with tobacco products.

The first document provides guidance on how companies will comply with the requirement to report on the quantities of potentially harmful chemicals in tobacco products. The second document provides guidance to companies that seek to advertise or market a tobacco product as less harmful or associated with reducing the risk of tobacco-related disease.

"Today's actions represent critical steps forward on providing Americans with the facts about the dangers of tobacco use and to stop children from smoking," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "We will continue to do everything we can to help smokers quit and prevent kids from starting this deadly addiction."

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