Dissolvable Tobacco Test Marketed In Colorado

Colorado is a test market for Camel?s dissolvable tobacco, in the form of strips, orbs and sticks. The products dissolve in your mouth. But some are concerned that the products may appeal to children.

Camel, owned by R.J. Reyonolds Tobacco Company, had a trailer set up at the Manitou Springs Beer Fest Sunday, where those over 21 could go inside, learn a little bit about the products and get a free sample.

?They give you a little package, a little demo,? said smoker Michael Murphy.

?It?s just an alternative from smoking cigarettes,? said Kevin Young, as he exited the trailer. ?They said it you wasn’t a safe alternative just a different way to have tobacco in your system.? Cameras were not allowed inside, but KRDO-TV did go inside and received a free variety pack.

Some are concerned the products may appeal to children.

?It?s kind of a sneakier way to do it where you’re not smelling like a cigarette or a cigar or something like that,? said Murphy. ?But I don’t know about marketing to minors. I don?t know what’s marketing to who anymore in this day and age.? This week the Colorado Board of Health will try to learn more about the products during a public hearing.

?Personally, I don?t think they should really market it towards children,? said Young.

The representatives inside the trailer would not talk to KRDO-TV on camera, but they did tell us they are not marketing the product to minors.

The product appeared to be childproof, as Murphy struggled to open the packages.

?They?re probably adult-proof too from the looks of it,? said Murphy.

When Young did get the strip package open, he offered his opinion on the taste.

?It?s a little minty,? said Murphy. ?It’s like a really weak Listerine breath strip, with a cigarette undertone. It takes like Arm and Hammer mint baking soda toothpaste.?

When Murphy was asked if it was a product he would purchase in the future, he said, ?Probably not.?