Smokeless tobacco having to leave sports marketing..

June 2, 2010 - Nascar's Kevin Harvick Inc.'s (KHI) Ron Hornaday will lose the Swedish Match Longhorn Moist Snuff from his No. 33, and Baker-Curb Racing's Greg Biffle will lose Swedish Match Red Man Moist Snuff from his No. 27.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov), "the new rule, Regulations Restricting the Sale and Distribution of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco to Protect Children and Adolescents, restricts the sale, distribution, and promotion of these products to make them less accessible and less attractive to kids. Published March 19, 2010, the new rule becomes effective June 22, 2010, and has the force and effect of law."

One of the provisions of the law: Prohibit tobacco brand-name sponsorship of any athletic, musical or other social or cultural event, or any team or entry in those events.

Despite NASCAR's long relationship tobacco, the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) between the Attorney Generals of 46 states and the four largest U.S. tobacco companies (including R.J. Reynolds) ended the 32-year relationship with Winston and the Cup Series.

Swedish Match was not subject to the same restraints on marketing as UST makers of Skoal and Copenhagen (Altria Group Inc on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 completed its $10.4 billion acquisition of UST, Inc.) and cigarette manufacturers since they did not sign onto the tobacco master settlement agreement (MSA).

Swedish Match (Svenska Tandsticks) has not signed onto the Smokeless Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (STMSA) UST was the only signatory. The states have approached Swedish Match several times about joining the STMSA, but SM always responds that it voluntarily adheres to the marketing and advertising restrictions in the STMSA.

Last year, Longhorn was on for 10 races with Hornaday, one with Harvick, but spread throughout the season, and they won the championship. KHI owners Kevin and Delana Harvick have known about the pending new regulations for 18 months now and are still looking for sponsorship for half of the remaining 16 races.

References: New FDA Rule Costs Ron Hornaday Longhorn Moist Snuff Sponsorship by Horn Fan, bleacherreport.com, 5/27/2010; Baker Curb to lose sponsor as Red Man has to leave car FDA rule banning tobacco from sponsorships begins June 22 by Jill Erwin, NASCAR.COM, 5/19/2010.

Related news briefs:
Swedish Match Longhorn MST sponsor NASCAR events..;
Swedish Match's (SM) Red Man Premium Moist Snuff hiding under the radar..