It's not likely the manufacturers will collaborate on their efforts to convince the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 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 US cigarette companies pushing for regulatory changes may lend itself to more clout together than either could get on its own. (pi)