FDA moves General Snus MRTP Application forward!

A notice on the Federal Register that indicates the Swedish Match General Snus Modified Risk Tobacco Product Application (MRTPA) will be published tomorrow.

Since accepting the General Snus application in August of last year, the FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has on several occasions asked for additional or clarifying information. These amendments will now be available for a second 30-day public comment period ending August 31.

After this comment period ends, FDA Tobacco Czar Mitch Zeller should be able to finally make a final decision on the fate of the General Snus MRTPA.

General Snus does NOT cause cancer or gum disease

My 2014 article Swedish Match, FDA, General Snus, and Modified Risk Tobacco Products: What does it mean? details and illustrates how Swedish Match’s MRTP application for General Snus can significantly play a roll in cigarette smoking cessation and consumer education.

In a nutshell, cigarettes and all forms of smokeless tobacco currently carry the same four warning labels.  In the case of Swedish Snus; specifically the 10 General Snus products offered/were offered for over-the-counter sale in the US, 3 of the 4 warning labels are factually incorrect.

These inaccuracies would lead a smoker considering a switch to General snus to believe snus is just as harmful as cigarettes….so why bother switching?  This is important since Swedish snus overall is roughly 99% less harmful to a smoker than cigarettes.  Swedish snus and French roast coffee contain about the same risk profile.

Swedish snus also delivers significantly more nicotine than nicotine gum or patches.  Without sufficient free nicotine, smokers odds of quitting cigarettes are about as good as using Altoids to stop smoking….nil.

Both the nicotine patch and gum boast only an 8% success rate among smokers trying to quit cigarettes after one year.  That translates to a 92% failure rate which is unacceptable if the goal is to save the lives and health of current smokers and eliminate second-hand smoke dangers.

Why a second public comment period and what should I do?

During the course of FDA’s hearings, testimony and previous public comments, FDA went back to Swedish Match for clarifications and more information which Swedish Match supplied in addition to the 123K+ pages already submitted in the original MRTPA.

Since the General Snus MRTPA has been amended, FDA is obligated to open a second 30-day public comment period which will begin at 08:45 EDT on 31 July 2015.

As during the first public comment period, it is essential for snus users and Tobacco Harm Reduction advocates to make themselves heard.  I have no doubt the Anti-All-Tobacco extremists will be lining up to do everything they can to paint General Snus in the most negative, non-factual way possible.

The official Public Inspection Notice, Modified Risk Tobacco Product Applications: Applications for 10 Products Submitted by Swedish Match North America Inc. will give instructions starting Friday morning on how you can add your thoughts and comments to this important process.

You don’t have to be a scientist or tobacco expert to make a statement.  Your personal story of how General Snus and Swedish snus helped you, a friend, or a loved one quit smoking is equally if not more valuable.

This is all about improving the public health and reducing the cost of healthcare caused by smoking-related illnesses. We are the American public.  It’s our right to make your voice heard and encourage your snus using friends to join you.

Share this post with as many snusers you know.  The stakes are very high and we only have 30 days.

LARRY WATERS

Swedish Snus Ambassador to the United States
Reporting for SnusCENTRAL.org