New Skoal Dry Launches in Austin and Louisville

USSTC begins test-market of new spit-free smokeless tobacco pouch product 


GREENWICH, Conn., Aug. 7  /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC) has begun test-marketing new Skoal Dry Tobacco Packs, the first ever spit-free smokeless tobacco pouch product to carry the Skoal name, in Austin, TX and Louisville, KY.  Available in regular, menthol and cinnamon flavors, each can of new Skoal Dry Tobacco Packs contains 20 pouches of 100% American- grown tobacco.

With smoking restrictions now widespread, more and more adult smokers are seeking an alternative to cigarettes.  USSTC recognizes this trend and, for the past several years, has worked to develop alternative products for adult smokers.  New Skoal Dry Tobacco Packs are the latest evolution in this initiative.

"New Skoal Dry offers a surprisingly refreshing alternative to smoking that's discreet, smoke-free and great tasting," said Tony Vengrove, director of new products.  "We think even skeptical adult smokers will be pleasantly surprised with Skoal Dry - it's a neat, discreet solution, there's no need to spit, and we've designed great tasting flavors familiar to smokers like regular and menthol, plus cinnamon for a refreshing variety."

Consumer research indicates that a main objection adult smokers have expressed to traditional moist smokeless tobacco (MST) products is the need to spit.  Skoal Dry is designed to eliminate the need to spit and, using patented flavor technology, gives adult smokers the flavor and satisfaction they seek.

Skoal Dry is packaged in sleek beveled cans with lithographed metal lids. As with all Skoal products, Skoal Dry cans also feature a "guaranteed fresh- until" date stamp.  A special introductory price is in effect.

The test-market launch is being supported by point-of-sale signage and branded displays that feature the Skoal Dry tagline, "No Smoke, No Spit, No Boundaries."  Further support is being generated by local adult sampling, direct mail, print advertising and an age-verified website, http://www.skoaldry.com/.

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company is a distinctly different tobacco company. Through its subsidiaries, it is a leading producer and marketer of moist smokeless tobacco products.  The Company's primary brands are Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal and Husky.  The Company is the only smokeless tobacco manufacturer to sign the Smokeless Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (STMSA).  Under the STMSA, the Company voluntarily adopted an array of advertising and promotional restrictions and agreed to pay $100 million towards programs to reduce youth access to tobacco products and combat youth substance abuse.

  Contact: Andrew H. Lee
           Media Relations
           [phone]


DATASOURCE: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC)



CONTACT: Andrew H. Lee, Media Relations, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.ustinc.com/

http://www.skoaldry.com/ 

Copyright