Tobacco Candy???

by: Jill Richardson

Wed Jun 03, 2009 at 23:49:32 PM PDT

There is no question that this tobacco candy is dangerous. It is estimated by the Indiana Poison Control that each tablet delivers 60 to 300 percent of the nicotine in a single cigarette.  The product is addictive.  The product causes cancer. And unless we pass this bill and allow the FDA to regulate soon, you will see this tobacco candy in a convenience store near you. And we'll see more displays like the one shown here in Portland. Tobacco candy advertised right next to ice cream. And once the companies master the technique of turning tobacco into a kid-friendly candy, there's no end to the variety of products that can be turned out. Already RJR (RJ Reynolds) has announced that they are planning to launch two new forms of tobacco candy: sticks, which are like toothpicks that you suck on, and strips, which are nearly identical to breath mint strips that dissolve on your tongue.

Sold in convenience stores? Advertised next to ice cream? I thought that was just rhetoric and speculation, but it appears that it is not - RJ Reynolds is test marketing tobacco candy in Portland, OR. Jesus. Because our food wasn't bad enough for us already. Now they're adding nicotine so we're actually addicted to it.

The silver lining is that the Senate HELP committee just passed a bill that would give the FDA greater regulatory power over tobacco products. The House already passed a similar bill, so all eyes are on the Senate to see if the bill passes the full Senate next month.

Killing Us Softly: Cigarettes and Industrial Food

by: Jill Richardson

Mon May 11, 2009 at 10:00:00 AM PDT

You'll note that he references a report and offers to send copies to anyone who requests it by email. If you'd like the report, email me and I'll make sure he gets your request.