A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel report released March 21 says dissolvable tobacco products could reduce health risks compared with other tobacco products.
However, the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee also warned that these products could increase the overall number of tobacco users, according to a CBS News story.
Exclusive use of dissolvable tobacco products would "greatly reduce risk" compared with regular use of cigarettes, according to the report. But the committee also concluded that dissolvable tobacco products might make people think tobacco in general is safer.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco is test-marketing dissolvable tablets, strips, and a toothpick shape under the names Camel Orbs, Camel Strips, and Camel Sticks, in mint and other flavors. Another company, Star Scientific, markets tobacco lozenges in wintergreen, coffee, and tobacco flavors.
The FDA plans to review the panel findings but has no timeline for taking action, according to the news story. The agency has expressed concern that dissolvable tobacco products contain a lot of nicotine and could be particularly appealing to children and young adults.
