In announcing the launch of a new line of moist smokeless tobacco (MST), US Smokeless Tobacco Company (USST), a subsidiary of UST Inc.

June 6, 2007 - In announcing the launch of a new line of moist smokeless tobacco (MST), US Smokeless Tobacco Company (USST), a subsidiary of UST Inc. (NYSE: UST), said yesterday that the MST category was growing by more than six per cent annually, making it one of the fastest growing consumer packaged goods categories at retail. (Cigarette sales declined 2.4% in 2006, Maxwell Report - Richmond, VA.) USST announced that it was going to introduce an all new line of premium MST products designed to make its core brand, Copenhagen, ‘more approachable for adult smokers’. Cope will be available in retail outlets from September 17 in three long-cut varieties: Smooth Hickory, Whiskey Blend Flavor and Straight. "Our research has shown that one of the most significant contributing factors to the extraordinary growth of the MST category has been adult smokers making the switch to smokeless tobacco, primarily Skoal," said Thano Chaltas, vice-president, marketing. "With the new premium Cope line of products, our core Copenhagen brand will now be able to play a larger role in adult smoker conversion and will help to sustain MST category growth going forward." (Tobacco Reporter)