Download Spit Tobacco Marketing

Spit Tobacco Marketing
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