UST, the largest maker of smokeless tobacco products, hopes this pitch will win over smokers who are looking for ways to get their nicotine fix in bars, restaurants and other areas where cigarettes increasingly are banned.

The Greenwich, Connecticut, company's US Smokeless Tobacco Co unit recently began shipping Skoal Dry tobacco packs to test markets in Austin, Texas, and Louisville.
UST hopes Skoal Dry, a small pouch of dry tobacco that can be tucked between a user's cheek and gum, will meet the needs of smokers who are looking for an alternative to cigarettes as smoking restrictions grow more widespread.
UST's market research has shown many smokers are hesitant to make the switch to traditional moist smokeless tobacco products such as UST's original Skoal because of the need to spit. However, products such as Skoal Dry are designed to be spit-free.
The market test comes at a time when UST is facing an increasingly competitive market. In addition to fending off pressure from discount brands, both Reynolds American and Altria Group's Philip Morris USA are entering the category.
Skoal Dry will sell for between US$ 3.50 and US$ 4 a pack, or about the same as a pack of premium cigarettes. Each can will contain about 20 tobacco packs in one of three flavours.
The three flavours – regular, menthol and cinnamon – were selected to appeal to smokers, UST said. (pi)