R.J. Reynolds Dissolvables - it looks like candy..

October 8, 2008 - R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (RJR) is introducing three dissolvable smokeless products in its latest bid to make its tobacco more accessible within a society that's clamping down on smoking. The dissolvable products -- a pellet (Camel Orbs), a twisted stick the size of a toothpick (Camel Sticks) and a film strip for the tongue (Camel Strips) -- had their debut at this week's National Association of Convenience Stores convention. The products are made of finely milled tobacco and come in the flavor styles of fresh and mellow, spokeswoman Maura Payne said. The products last from two to three minutes for the strips, 10 to 15 minutes for the orbs and 20 to 30 minutes for the sticks.

The RJR sales people have been telling c-store owners these products would be coming.

RJ Reynolds Products at a Glance.

Reynolds said that it is the first major U.S. tobacco manufacturer to offer the products. Star Scientific Inc., a smaller manufacturer based in Petersburg, Va., has been selling its dissolvable tobacco products -- Ariva® and Stonewall® -- in select regional and national chains such as Food Lion and 7-Eleven.

Reynolds plans to test the new products in Indianapolis; Columbus, Ohio; and Portland, Ore. The orbs and sticks products will have their debut in January 2009 and the strips in the second quarter. Although Reynolds does not dictate retail prices, the company said that the dissolvable products should sell at a comparable price to a tin of Camel Snus, which is between $4 and $4.50.

It's very likely these products will appeal to kids - STOP THE INTRODUCTION NOW. Matthew Myers, the president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, "These products are flavored and packaged like candy, and very likely will appeal to children."

References: R.J. Reynolds Preps Dissolvable Tobacco by Mike Beirne, 10/8/2008 and Reynolds moves to be on top when smoke clears (Dissolvable tobacco offered as smoking bans proliferate; critics say it looks like candy) by Richard Craver, Winston_Salem Journal, 10/8/2008.