FDA Scientists Question Snus Maker’s Proposal to Modify Cancer Warnings

At a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hearing this week to consider whether the smokeless tobacco known as “snus” is less harmful than cigarettes, government scientists questioned a proposal to modify cancer warning language on the product’s packaging.

The scientists also said they have concerns about how snus manufacturer Swedish Match studied its product, according to the Associated Press.

Swedish Match has requested that its General brand of snus be certified as “modified risk.” The company wants to be able to claim snus products are addictive but much less risky than smoking. Swedish Match wants to be able to remove one of the required health warning labels about oral cancer. The company has sold snus in the United States since 2007.

The company is also asking the FDA to allow dropping another warning that smokeless tobacco products can cause gum disease and tooth loss. The FDA scientists questioned the validity of the studies used to support that request, the AP noted. The scientists noted the company “does not provide an argument as to why it is biologically plausible that effects of snus on gum disease and tooth loss would be significantly different from other smokeless tobacco products.”

The FDA is considering the requests this week at a two-day meeting of its Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee. The FDA does not have to follow its committees’ recommendations, but usually does.

Tobacco companies are looking for new products to sell as sales of cigarettes decline for many reasons, including increased taxes, health concerns, smoking bans and social stigma.

Some public health experts oppose any type of tobacco use, arguing there is no safe way to use tobacco. Others say lower-risk alternatives such as smokeless tobacco or e-cigarettes can improve public health by encouraging fewer people to smoke regular cigarettes.