The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company’s Copenhagen Classic Snuff to be marketed as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP), according to an FDA press release.

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company is a subsidiary of Altria and its product Copenhagen Classic Snuff is a loose moist snuff smokeless tobacco product that has been on the market in the IS for years without modified risk information. From now on, the product will be marketed as a modified risk product with the claim: “IF YOU SMOKE, CONSIDER THIS: Switching completely to this product from cigarettes reduces risk of lung cancer.”
The product underwent a rigorous review of available evidence along with recommendations from the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, public comments, and other available scientific information leading to the conclusion that the specific claim related to lung cancer risk is scientifically accurate with respect to Copenhagen Classic Snuff, according to the press release.
“No tobacco product is safe or ‘FDA approved,’ so those who do not use tobacco products shouldn’t start,” said Brian King, Ph.D., M.P.H. “But tobacco products do exist on a spectrum of risk, with those that are smoked having the greatest risk. In this case, the FDA’s scientific review found that if an adult smoker completely switched from cigarettes to this smokeless product, it would reduce their risk of getting lung cancer.”
The company must now conduct postmarket surveillance and studies as well as a scientific model to assess continued impact on population health. The modified risk granted order will be in place for five years.