FDA Will Consider Whether Snus Smokeless Tobacco is Less Harmful Than Cigarettes

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will consider this spring whether the smokeless tobacco known as snus is less harmful than cigarettes.

Smokeless tobacco maker Swedish Match has requested that its General brand of snus be certified as “modified risk,” the Associated Press reports. The company wants to be able to claim snus products are addictive but much less risky than smoking. Swedish Match also 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 FDA will consider the requests at a two-day meeting in April of its Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee. The FDA does not have to follow its committees’ recommendations, but usually does, according to the AP.

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.