Swedish Match USA, Inc., a subsidiary of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) (PMI), recently presented to the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) on June 26, 2024. This committee advises the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products. The presentation was part of Swedish Match’s efforts to renew the Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) claim for General Snus in the U.S. market and expand its use to help transition legal-age smokers away from cigarettes.
Originally granted by the FDA in October 2019, this MRTP claim allows Swedish Match to inform consumers that using General Snus instead of cigarettes reduces the risk of various diseases. Currently, this information is only accessible on the General Snus website.
During the presentation, Swedish Match provided real-world evidence demonstrating the claim’s effectiveness in reducing harm to individual users and benefiting public health. They proposed expanding the claim to additional lawful marketing channels, such as point-of-sale displays and direct mail to age-verified consumers.
Gerry Roerty, General Counsel for Swedish Match, USA, Inc., emphasized the importance of this moment in tobacco product regulation, aligning with FDA’s strategic goal to reduce smoking-related diseases and deaths.
The meeting covered a range of scientific, technical, and consumer communication topics, highlighting Swedish Match’s responsible marketing practices and research showing low unintended use among populations.
General Snus, a non-fermented, air-cured smokeless tobacco product traditionally from Sweden, has been available in the U.S. for over a decade. The MRTP renewal includes various General Snus varieties.
Stacey Kennedy, President of PMI’s Americas Region, expressed pride in their commitment to a cigarette-free America and urged policy guided by science to accelerate adoption of smoke-free alternatives.
PMI, having invested significantly in smoke-free products since 2008, aims to transition smokers to scientifically validated alternatives, envisioning a smoke-free future.
