Smokeless Tobacco Background

In a time where smoking culture faces scrutiny and restrictions, smokeless tobacco is emerging as a new and alternative choice, capturing global attention. We delve deep into the developmental history, current status, and future prospects of smokeless tobacco to comprehensively understand this controversial yet promising form of tobacco consumption.

Historical Development and Global Outlook of Smokeless Tobacco

• Origins of Smokeless Tobacco: The history of smokeless tobacco dates back to 1493 when Roman Payne, a Catholic Franciscan missionary, discovered smokeless tobacco in North America. Around 1500, smokeless tobacco found its way to Northern European countries, gradually spreading across the entire European market. As a form of smokeless tobacco, it attracted significant attention from international tobacco manufacturers due to its promising market prospects.

• European Anti-Smoking Vision: With joint efforts from European countries, the European Union declared the vision of achieving a "Smoke-Free Europe by 2040," aiming to reduce the smoking rate to below 5%. Recently, Swedish health experts announced a smoking rate of 5.6% in the country, nearing the realization of a smoke-free status. The World Health Organization confirmed that Sweden's cancer incidence rate is 41% lower than other EU member states. This achievement is attributed to Sweden's public health agency controlling smoking through harm-reduction products, with smokeless tobacco playing a crucial role.

Evolutionary Journey of Smokeless Tobacco

• Origin and Evolution: As a smokeless tobacco product, its evolutionary journey is closely tied to the popularity of traditional cigarettes. Originating from Northern Europe, smokeless tobacco initially existed as loose powdered tobacco manually formed into clumps for oral use. However, this method raised concerns about oral contamination. Subsequently, pouch-packaged smokeless tobacco, using materials like non-woven fabric to package processed tobacco powder into small pouches, was introduced. Placed between the lips and gums, it offered convenience without oral contamination, becoming the most popular form of smokeless tobacco.
• Comparison with Traditional Cigarettes: Traditional cigarettes produce high temperatures during combustion, resulting in smoke containing over 6000 chemicals, many of which are causes or potential causes of smoking-related diseases. In contrast, smokeless tobacco, without combustion, doesn't generate tar and smoke, eliminating the risk of secondhand smoke. While not entirely risk-free, smokeless tobacco becomes a relatively safer form of tobacco consumption.

Composition of Smokeless Tobacco

• Carefully Crafted Components: The main components of smokeless tobacco include tobacco extracts, flavoring substances, masking agents, water, humectants, and pH adjusters. Nicotine, as the core component, can be obtained through tobacco extracts or synthetic nicotine. The formula of smokeless tobacco is complex, with fillers such as starch, dextrin, and xylitol mixed in appropriate proportions to create a unique taste and form.

Types of Smokeless Tobacco Products

• Diversity in Choices: There is a wide variety of smokeless tobacco, including classic, white, all-white, loose, dry, and nicotine pouch types. Nicotine pouches are currently the mainstream product, solving the issue of oral contamination associated with loose products and offering portability. Pouch types come in large, slim, extra-slim, and mini sizes to meet the size preferences of different consumers.

Patent Analysis of Smokeless Tobacco

• Competing in Intellectual Property: In the early days, major foreign tobacco companies held patents for smokeless tobacco. However, since 2008, the domestic tobacco industry has increased efforts in intellectual property protection, surpassing foreign tobacco companies in the number of patent applications. Domestic smokeless tobacco patents mainly involve product formulas, preparation techniques, and packaging technologies. The primary technical approach to improving taste quality is through refining product formulas and subsequently enhancing preparation processes.

Product Registration of Smokeless Tobacco

Global Recognition and NNP's Cross-Border Collaboration
Swedish Match AB, the world's largest smokeless tobacco supplier, has consistently been a leader in the field. The ZYN brand, holding an astonishing 58.8% market share in the U.S. smokeless tobacco market, represents not only market dominance but also recognition of product quality and innovation.

Yet, we should also focus on another aspect of development. Although NNP is based in China, the heritage of our brand traces back to a longer history. NNP, incubated as a sub-brand through our partnership with Philip Morris International (PMI), reflects a rich collaborative journey infused with excellence and international expertise. Through deep cooperation with PMI, NNP seamlessly integrates innovation, quality, and global industry knowledge in the realm of nicotine products.

In 2015, the General brand under Swedish Match became the only smokeless tobacco brand to pass the Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) and Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) in the United States. This milestone signifies global recognition of the safety and harm reduction aspects of smokeless tobacco within the industry and regulatory spheres. Simultaneously, NNP's growth in the Chinese market will benefit from this global acknowledgment, laying a foundation for us to better serve consumers worldwide.

Future Prospects of Smokeless Tobacco

• Direction Towards Sustainable Development: Philip Morris International Tobacco Company has proposed a low-carbon transformation plan, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality in direct operational activities by 2025. This plan seeks to promote a more environmentally friendly direction for the tobacco industry by reducing cigarette shipments. With the strengthening of global anti-smoking policies, smokeless tobacco is poised to become a significant trend in the international tobacco sector. Domestically, attention to smokeless tobacco products is gradually increasing. However, there is still room for improvement in quality standards, toxicological research, and establishing a rigorous quality control and evaluation system. Increasing efforts in product research and development and breaking through patent restrictions from foreign tobacco companies in key areas will shape the future development of Chinese-manufactured smokeless tobacco brands.

Conclusion

Smokeless tobacco, as a newcomer to the tobacco industry, represents both an innovation in traditional cigarettes and a rising alternative in the global anti-smoking movement. As we explore pathways to safer tobacco consumption, smokeless tobacco might emerge as a pioneer leading us into the future. However, a cautious approach is necessary. In-depth research into the composition and effects of smokeless tobacco, coupled with scientific support for its legalization and standardization globally, ensures that it genuinely benefits human health as we venture into new realms of tobacco consumption.