State Fair Curbs Tobacco Sales
Officials say tobacco sales will be prohibited at the fair this year.
Fair spokesman Joe LaGuardia says they are finalizing plans for the change. And he says officials are talking about making the fair entirely smokeless in the future.
Smoking is already banned in covered areas on the fair grounds, but that policy could be extended to outdoor areas as well.
Smokeless on the rise
Major smokeless brands are expecting to increase promotions of established and brand extension products. Swedish Match will extend Red Man, the No. 1 loose leaf chewing tobacco, into the arena with competitors like Skoal and Copenhagen by testing Red Man Snuff starting in September and wil include direct marketing and sampling to adults at Nascar events, festivals, bars and street teams distributing trail packs at factories and construction sites. Meanwhile, United States Smokeless Tobacco (USSTC), which produces chewing tobacco, said its second-quarter profit would fall as it spends more to promote its Skoal and Copenhagen tobacco brands.
Major cigarette makers are joining the smokeless market as Philip Morris USA has launched Marlboro Snus in Dallas and RJ Reynolds has tested Camel Snus in Portland, Oregon and other locals.
Sources: Brand Week, August 7, 2007
New York Times Friday, August 24, 2007