Examining market trends in the United States smokeless tobacco use: 2005–2011

Abstract

Background While cigarette consumption in the USA continues to decline, promotion for and consumption of smokeless tobacco (SLT) is growing. However, little research has explored what product features are driving SLT growth, despite awareness that product-level factors may be important in SLT use. This study analyses national sales data to better understand the impact of product features on SLT sales. Methods Data on sales of SLT in US convenience stores from 2005 to 2011 were obtained from Nielsen Research Company. Each listed product was coded for attributes such as type, brand, flavouring and form to calculate their respective total sales, market share and contribution to overall SLT growth. Results Sales of moist snuff products (including snus) increased by 65.6% between 2005 and 2011. Sales of pouched and flavoured forms of moist snuff increased by 333.8% and 72.1%, respectively, and contributed to 28% and 59.4% of the total growth in the moist snuff category, respectively. Value/discount brands accounted for 42% of moist snuff sales in 2011 among the top 10 selling brands, largely driven by Grizzly. After 2 years on the national market, Camel Snus was also one of the top 10 selling moist snuff brands. Conclusions Sales of moist snuff, both overall and for particular styles, are increasing. Growing pouch use may be attributed to new SLT users, which may include cigarette smokers using them as starter SLT products. Increased sales of flavoured and discounted snuff raise concerns about use and appeal to youth. Continued surveillance of SLT sales trends is warranted.

Judgments, Awareness, and the Use of Snus Among Adults in the United States

“…Males were more likely to have heard of snus and were about three times more likely to report snus use compared with females. This may indicate that disproportionate marketing of smokeless tobacco to males contributes to snus awareness and use (Delnevo et al, 2014). Non-Hispanic White participants were the most likely to be aware of snus compared with other racial/ ethnic groups, but race/ethnicity was not significantly associated with snus use.…”

“…Despite well-documented health risks, the prevalence of current smokeless tobacco use among U.S. adults aged 18 years and older is 3.4%, and 1.4% of adults use snus (King, Dube, & Tynan, 2012). Sales of pouched forms of moist snuff increased by 333.8% between 2005 and 2011, with snus sales doubling between 2009 and 2010 and snus brands emerging among the top 10 selling moist snuff brands after just 2 years on the U.S. market (Delnevo et al, 2014).…”

Polytobacco Use of Cigarettes, Cigars, Chewing Tobacco, and Snuff Among US Adults

“…1 Sales of moist snuff products increased by 65.6 % between 2005 and 2011. 2 In addition, consuming two or more tobacco products-referred to as polytobacco use and also known as multiple tobacco product use, concurrent tobacco use, and concomitant tobacco use-has become increasingly common. [3][4][5] According to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data, 10.1% of young adults aged 18−25 and 3.7% of adults aged ≥26 were current polytobacco users.…”

High tobacco use prevalence with significant regional and sex differences in smokeless tobacco use among Western Alaska Native people: the WATCH study

“…Research using Minnesota statewide data found the proportion of cigarettes smokers reporting ST use increased between 2007 and 2010 [18]. It has been suggested that the increase in ST use among smokers may be due to wide implementation of in-home and public smoking bans nationwide and the tobacco industry marketing of ST as a substitute for cigarettes when smoking is not permitted [48]. However, many of our study data pre-date these more recent trends in policy and marketing, with many Y-K smokers reporting concurrent use well before public bans.…”