Star Scientific - developed a moist snuff tobacco product that has extremely low levels of carcinogens -- even lower than snus products..

January 4, 2011 - Star Scientific, Inc. reports that it has successfully developed a moist snuff tobacco product that has extremely low levels of carcinogens -- much lower than any snuff products currently in the marketplace.

This new product has levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) -- recognized by scientists worldwide as one of the most powerful cancer-causing agents in tobacco leaf and smoke -- below 20 parts per billion (nanograms-per-gram moist weight, as used) in initial testing. This is 99% lower than the levels found in conventional American moist snuffs such as Copenhagen or Skoal, and 90% less than the level found in current "snus" products. Moist snuff products account for the largest portion of the smokeless tobacco market (73%) and this has been the fastest growing segment of the tobacco marketplace in the United States in recent years. First-quarter 2010 sales alone increased at a rate of 7%.

Star intends to submit an application for approval to market Stonewall Moist-BDL (below detectable limits) as a modified-risk tobacco product under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 during early first quarter 2011. The company believes this would be the first modified-risk application for a moist-snuff tobacco product.

Star submitted two modified-risk applications to the FDA in February and June, 2010, for approval for the company's Ariva-BDL™ and Stonewall-BDL™ dissolvable smokeless products; the Center for Tobacco Products stated in a guidance document in November, 2009 that it anticipated the approval process would take 360 days or less after filing. (Star Scientific asks FDA to certify Ariva-BDL lozenges as less harmful than traditional forms of tobacco..)

Star Scientific sells smokeless lozenge type tobacco products: Ariva and Stonewall Hard snuff. Star has just come out with a blister pack (packaging in which a product is sealed between a cardboard backing and clear plastic cover) for Stonewall lozenges. Previous packaging..

Click on image to enlarge..
Stonewall Hard Snuff Packaging - front..





Click on image to enlarge..
Stonewall Hard Snuff Packaging - back..




Reference: Star Scientific Announces Development of Ultra-Low Carcinogen Moist Snuff Tobacco Product, SOURCE Star Scientific, Inc., 1/4/2011.

Some related Star Scientific news briefs:
Star Scientific - date for oral arguments in patent infringement lawsuit set..;
Star Scientific - U.S. patent Patent and Trademark Office To Consider Reopening Patent Examination..;
Star Scientific asks FDA to certify Ariva-BDL lozenges as less harmful than traditional forms of tobacco..;
Star Scientific - Star Scientific q1 2010 financial report..;
Star Scientific - continue incurring losses on its smokeless-tobacco products..;
Star Scientific asks FDA to certify lozenge less harmful..;
Star Scientific denied new trial in patent infringement - files appeal..;
Star Scientific - NASDAQ trading symbol changed to CIGX..;
Star Scientific - new product (in 2010) to help adult smokers maintain a nicotine-free metabolism..;
Star Scientific - will use its low-nitrosamine tobacco curing process to formulate smokeless tobacco dissolvable smokeless products..
Star Scientific - q2 2009 report..;
Star Scientific - Filing patent for zero-nitrosamine tobacco curing process..;
Star Scientific - 2008 annual report/Stonewall vs other OTC NRTs..;
Star Scientific Corporate Study Stonewall Lozenge in NRT..;
Star Scientific Files Third Quarter Financial Report..;
Star Scientific wants to augment sales of their tobacco lozenges..;
Star Scientific , second quarter 2008, sales down 23.6%..;
Star Scientific Applauds Recent State Legislation - Banning Smoking in Cars with Children..