State Representative concerned tobacco companies targeting our young with SNUS..

March 31, 2009 - State Representative Bob Herron, Alaska State Government - District 38 - Bethel recently introduced HB 188 to change the state’s system of taxation on moist snuff tobacco (more commonly known as chew or iqmik). My goal is to reduce the use of smokeless tobacco in Alaska, especially amongst young people.

Herron is very concerned with new lightweight tobacco products such as “snus”, which tobacco companies are using to target our young people. The small, individually wrapped packets of tobacco are packaged very attractively in a brightly colored tin. They smell more like candy than tobacco, and the method of ingestion eliminates the need to spit. Such a product constitutes a significant risk to our youth, many of whom already chew.

Reference: YKHC Tribal Unity Gathering begins Wednesday in Bethel by Rep. Bob Herron, The Tundra Drums, 3/30/2009.