Why does R.J. Reynolds Tobacco keep on selecting Portland, OR as a test site..

January 26, 2009 - On April 28, 2006 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco (RJR) started test marketing Camel SNUS in Portland Oregon and Austin Texas. In January 2009 RJR will launch its test marketing of three dissolvable tobacco products: Camel Orbs - like a candy pellet; Camel Sticks - like a toothpick and Camel Strips - an edible film strip like Listerine Pocketpaks® Breath Strips. The products will launch in the first quarter in Columbus, Ohio, Portland, Oregon, and Indianapolis.

Why does RJR continue to select Portland, Oregon for product testing? RJR spokesman David Howard said the city is "maybe a little below average" in chewing tobacco use. And while Portland and Austin have reputations as hipster havens, Howard said Reynolds isn't targeting twentysomethings. The company picked Portland and Austin to get feedback from "all adult tobacco consumers."

Health workers have a theory about Portland's selection: Big Tobacco wants a new generation of customers. "I see it as a young adult marketing strategy, and we have a lot of hip young adults in this city," Cathryn Cushing, a specialist with the Oregon's Tobacco Prevention and Education Program. said. And "if it appeals to a 22-year-old, I think you can assume it will appeal to a 16-year-old. Because what do 16-year-olds want to be? Twenty-two."

Here's the real reason that Portland was selected.. In the State of Oregon tobacco companies are allowed to dole out freebies of smokeless tobacco but are banned from handing out free cigarettes. With new products like Camel SNUS and soon Camel Dissolvable Tobacco products that boast kid-friendly flavors the state legislators now wants this practice stopped. State Rep. Carolyn Tomei: “Now Oregon has become the place where they have campaigns for smokeless tobacco. They’re handing out free Snus samples, and to whom did they hand it out? Not people my age; it’s the young ones.”

Oregon's interim state epidemiologist, Dr. Katrina Hedberg, says that even though the "sticks," "orbs" and "strips" are smoke-free, they're still a health hazard designed to "help people continue their addiction." She's particularly concerned that the candy-flavored products will be marketed to underage consumers as a gateway to cigarettes.

R.J. Reynolds denies this. As evidence, it trumpets the fact that Camel Dissolvables, as the product line is called, will be sold in child-proof packaging.

That's laughable. We know they're not targeting 2-year-olds.

Reference: Health officials say the pouches of chew, which are getting a trial-market run in Portland-OR, will lure the young, WhiteLies.TV, 1/7/2007; 'Camel Dissolvables" head for Portland by The Oregonian editorial board, OregonLive.com, 12/20/2008;

A few related news briefs: Oregon - STOP Tobacco Companies from passing out free smokeless tobacco..; STOP the Release of Dissolvable Tobacco Products..; Our children are in danger of becoming nicotine addicts...

Even with all the Camel SNUS freebies, e.g. like with the test marketing in Raleigh, NC, judging from interviews with a dozen sellers, snus has not set Portland's tobacco world afire. Most local bartenders and store owners said they sell one or two tins a month, mostly to men in their 20s and 30s. The minty frost flavor sells best. It's interesting to note that are RJR has dropped the Orginal and Spice flavors, kept Frost and added Mellow.