Researchers Warn of Candy-Like Tobacco Products’ Appeal to Kids

A group of public health researchers is urging health authorities to examine whether certain new smokeless tobacco products should be regulated further in order to keep them out of children’s hands, Dow Jones Newswires reported April 19.

Researchers led by Gregory Connolly, director of the tobacco control research program at the Harvard School of Public Health, suggested that public health authorities closely examine the new smokeless tobacco products such as Reynolds American Inc.’s Camel Orbs — candy-like pellets made of finely milled tobacco and containing nicotine — to determine what type of regulation might be needed.

Reynolds counters that its product is made for adults and that sales to children are already restricted. The company added that Camel Orbs are delivered in child-resistant packaging.

The research team published its comments online in the journal Pediatrics.