Since 1970, spit tobacco has gone from a product used predominantly by older men to one used predominantly by young men and boys.
"The Spit tobacco industry has targeted male adolescents with its aggressive advertising. Ads associate Spit Tobacco with rodeos, rock stars, and sports heroes. Spit Tobacco companies have sponsored rock concerts, rodeos, auto racing tractor pulls, hunting and fishing events." Spit Tobacco products have been marketed through sponsorship and promotion at several venues with high youth attendance including rodeos and auto racing.
Spit tobacco companies have more recently begun using ads that present it as safer alternative to cigarettes or as an alternative to clean indoor acts.
Spit tobacco is not a safe substitute for smoking.
As the market grows, so does the Marketing
- From 1985 to 2001 the total marketing expenditures or the top
five spit tobacco companies have more than tripled. Smokeless tobacco ads have appeared in magazines with high youth readership such as Rolling Stone and Sports Illustrated.
- During 2001, the five largest spit tobacco manufacturers spent,
$236.7 million on spit tobacco advertising.
- The two most advertised brands are the two leading brands
for users 12 years or older. Skoal (30 percent) and Copenhagen
(22 percent)
- In 2001, US Smokeless Tobacco (a.k.a. Skoal and Copenhagen) spent $9.4
Million advertising in magazines with high youth readership. This is nearly double the amount spent before the Smokeless Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA), which placed restrictions on youth advertising. Nearly half of the company's overall advertising (before and after the MSA) remains in youth oriented magazines.
- In 1993 Cherry flavoring was added to United States Smokeless Tobacco’s (UST) Skoal long cut. A former UST representative was quoted revealing “Cherry Skoal is for somebody that likes the taste of candy if you know what I’m saying,” UST now carries products in several flavors including apple, peach, vanilla, mint and berry blend. Several spit tobacco companies have followed suit with their own flavored products.
- In 2006 the two largest U.S. manufacturers of Cigarettes have joined the ranks of smokeless tobacco production. Reynolds-American international (Makers of Camel Cigarettes) completed its purchase of Conwood Smokeless Tobacco the makers of Kodiak and Grizzly. RAI then released its new Camel Snus line of products in test markets. Then Phillip Morris USA (Makers of Marlboro Cigarettes) announced its release of a spit tobacco pouch product called “Toboka”. With a significantly greater amount of advertising dollars, the addition of these two tobacco giants could significantly change the face of the smokeless tobacco industry.
“After a careful examination of the relevant epidemiological, experimental, and Clinical data, the committee concludes that the oral use of smokeless tobacco represents a significant health risk. It is not a safe substitute for smoking cigarettes. It can cause cancer and a number of non-cancerous oral conditions and can lead to nicotine addiction and dependence.”
- U.S. Surgeon General 1986
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