Tobacco rivals lobby for smokeless tobacco

The pursuit of a reduced-risk niche for smokeless-tobacco products has put archrivals Reynolds American Inc. and Philip Morris USA on the same lobbying path.
It's not likely the manufacturers will collaborate on their efforts to convince the Food and Drug Administration to position smokeless tobacco as part of a potential middle ground between cigarettes and nicotine-cessation products such as gum and patches.
In recent years, the manufacturers have bought their way into highly competitive marketplace positions in moist snuff.
Reynolds is considered as the industry leader in innovative smokeless products, while Philip Morris is dipping its toes with Marlboro Snus in test markets.
Still, having the top two U.S. cigarette companies pushing for regulatory changes may lend itself to more clout together than either could get on its own.
"This is truly historic, as the largest tobacco companies are now advocating regulatory policies to reduce cigarette consumption, disease and death," said Bill Godshall, the executive director of SmokeFree Pennsylvania. The group is among the leading advocates for promoting smokeless products as a less-harmful alternative to cigarettes.
"I'm extremely pleased they've decided to prioritize consumer health over short-term cigarette revenue and profit."