U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Issues Statement on ABC World News Tonight Segment on Smokeless Tobacco

GREENWICH, Conn., Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, the principal subsidiary of UST Inc. today issued the following statement:

On Nov. 17, ABC World News Tonight aired a segment on smokeless tobacco as part of the ongoing ABC News series "Quit to Live: Fighting Lung Cancer."

ABC News reported on several aspects of the ongoing debate regarding tobacco harm reduction and the potential role of smokeless tobacco as a reduced risk alternative to cigarette smoking. U.S. Smokeless Tobacco believes this is an important public health issue and looks forward to expanding its dialogue with members of the public health community.

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, a distinctly different tobacco company, is a leading producer and marketer of moist smokeless tobacco products. The company's primary brands are Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal and Husky. Revel Tobacco Packs, specially formulated for adult smokers looking for an alternative tobacco product, are currently in test markets in Charlotte, NC and Denver, CO. 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.