FDA Authorizes Marketing of “Reduced Risk” Smokeless Tobacco Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has for the first time authorized the marketing of “reduced risk” tobacco products. The agency said eight smokeless tobacco products are less harmful than cigarettes.

The products, made by Swedish Match USA, are sold under the “General” brand name, Time reports. They are pouches of ground tobacco, called snus.

The snus pouches will still carry mandatory warnings that they can cause mouth cancer, gum disease and tooth loss. The company will be allowed to advertise its pouches as having a lower risk of lung cancer, bronchitis, heart disease and other diseases than cigarettes.

“While today’s decision permits the eight General brand snus smokeless tobacco products to be sold in the U.S. with a modified risk claim, it does not mean these products are safe or ‘FDA approved,’” the FDA said in a statement. “All tobacco products are potentially harmful and addictive, and those who do not use tobacco products should continue to refrain from their use.”