The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it will launch a USD 36 million (EUR 32 million) campaign to educate rural teenagers about the dangers of using smokeless tobacco products.

Smokeless tobacco use is more than twice as prevalent in rural areas compared to metropolitan areas in the US, the FDA said.
The agency will use television, digital advertising, radio, billboards and social media in 35 selected markets to dissuade rural teenagers from using chewing tobacco, moist-snuff and related products.
“In communities where smokeless tobacco use is part of the culture, reaching at-risk teens with compelling messaging is critical to help change their understanding of the risks and harms associated with smokeless tobacco use,” said the director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, Mitch Zeller.