Camel SNUS - two new flavors now a total of four..

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November 18, 2009 - In the Reynolds American second quarter 2009 it was mentioned that new Camel SNUS flavors were planned. Two new styles of CAMEL Snus were suppose to be launched in the third quarter of 2009. This did not happen. Now we learn (Reynolds American Investor Day Presentations, 11/16/2009) that the two new styles - WINTERCHILL and ROBUST - will be introduced in the military this month.

Background: In the summer of 2006, Camel introduced, refrigerated Camel SNUS, into two test market cities – Portland, Oregon and Austin, Texas. This product came in three varieties: ORIGINAL, FROST and SPICE. Camel Snus was touted as "another tobacco pleasure" for adults, that can be used "anytime, anywhere. Camel Snus was manufactured in Sweden in conjunction with British American Tobacco, Inc. (BAT) and kept refrigerated until the tin is sold. Then it was made in the Reynolds plant in Winston-Salem. and now by Conwood, a decision of Reynolds American. The making of Camel snus has always been under the control of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco separate from all Conwood products.

In June 2007 market test of Camel SNUS was expanded to eight cities and then in May 2008 the market test was expanded again from eight to 17 metropolitan area. Soon after Reynolds announced that Camel SNUS was rolled out nationally early in 2009.

April 2008 R.J. Reynolds lowered the number of pouches per container from 20 to 15 pouches Further initiatives by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (RJR).. At about this same time Reynolds dropped ORIGINAL and SPICE flavors, kept FROST and added MELLOW. (A users comment on the FROST flavor: When opening the FROST I had no idea what to expect. The tin gave off a certain minty aroma that made me want to dive in. I was not displeased after using it, but it was very unique. It tasted more like a candy than a tobacco product, in fact it was delicious. I would compare the taste to a vanilla-mint piece of gum. (ReviewSTream.com)) Now Reynolds has again reduced the number pouches from 15 to 12-pouches per can and labeled the can "Special Trial Offer" and reduced the price per can to $1.99 (in North Carolina).

Tobacco - FDA - 'characterizing flavor': U.S. - flavored cigarettes ban looms, how do you define 'characterizing flavor'.. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a letter regarding sales of flavored cigarettes becoming illegal on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, providing the industry with more specific direction. Effective September 22, 2009, cigarettes that contain certain characterizing flavors are considered adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA or the Act), as amended by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FSPTCA).

David Howard, a spokesman for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. - "We do not believe any of the cigarettes that we manufacture have a characterizing flavor that is banned by this provision." (For our children ban all flavored tobacco products..)

As stated above the tobacco regulations specify cigarettes that contain certain characterizing flavors are considered adulterated and are prohibited. "Characterizing flavor" can be defined as a distinguishable taste or aroma that is imparted to tobacco or tobacco smoke either prior to or during consumption.

Reynolds realizing OTPs (other tobacco products) may be next to have all flavored products declared illegal have altered the description for their dissolvable tobacco products on their website Under "How dissolvable tobacco is made?" This tobacco is combined with binders and non-characterizing flavoring, that complement the tobacco's natural taste.

Each tobacco product must be thoroughly analyzed by the FDA Product Center to determine what "Characterizing flavor(s)" are present. For example, a users experience with Camel SNUS FROST flavor: It tasted more like a candy than a tobacco product, in fact it was delicious. I would compare the taste to a vanilla-mint piece of gum. - see above.