Multiple tobacco companies have released dissolvable tobacco products that look, taste, and smell like candy.

Dissolvable tobacco products are not necessarily new, as they have been around for a few years. Addressing their style, shape, flavors, and marketing brings heightened concern to some professionals amidst Big Tobacco claiming these products are an alternative to smoking in a ban-heavy world.

For tobacco maker, R. J. Reynolds and others, the introduction to dissolvable tobacco products has brought a new audience to their deadly products. Snus, Strips, Sticks, and Orbs have become a common purchase as an alternative to cigarettes. The packages are designed to resemble candy and gum alternatives, donning a tagline, "Anytime, anywhere." Which leaves some to question the intended target audience.

The advertisement on the right shows a young girl smiling behind R. J. Reynolds' Camel orbs, sticks, and strips. The age of the girl in question begs the question, "Are these products geared towards teen and young adults?" Some professionals believe so.

Dr. Leslie Kohman, the Medical Director of the Upstate Cancer Center believes the main purpose is to hook kids on nicotine, gradually increasing the content of the nicotine products used encouraging a new age of adult smokers. Chris Owens, St. Joseph's Tobacco Cessation Center Coordinator said, "They're getting young individuals hooked before they're mature enough to make the decision whether to use tobacco or not because they are marketed with the same kind of labels [and packaging] as candy products."

In this image to the left, Camel Orbs are compared to a well-known mouth mint, tic tac. In looking at the shape of the mint and dissolvable tobacco orb along side the two labels, the resemblances are astounding.

When one news station set out to find out how accessible dissolvable tobacco products were to kids, they found Snus at every gas station they visited. Employees at those establishments noted that the demand for orbs, sticks, and strips was increasing.

Dr. Kohman noted the dangers of dissolvable tobacco products including; mouth cancer, esophagus cancer, stomach cancer, bladder cancer, tooth decay and gum disease, and a host of other health issues arise from oral tobacco problems. Kohman went on further to state that they are a gateway to tobacco smoking.

Anti-smoking organizations would like further regulation imposed on these products by the FDA. The FDA has the authority to make changes in how these products are marketed, but little has been done at this point.

It is important to note that smokeless tobacco products are not an alternative to tobacco cigarettes. The dangers are still deadly.

What are your thoughts on the images included?