Back to the future with oral snuff

. The modern cigarette was introduced at the turn of the century and, in the absence of scientific evidence showing it to be harmful, it was exempt from virtually all health and safety laws that have been passed since that time. Laws and voluntary codes have been adopted in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) that restrict the advertising of tobacco products. Tobacco manufacturers have used the regulatory exemptions to introduce new or modified tobacco products when consumers became concerned about the safety of existing ones. This strategy has allowed manufacturers to maintain existing demand for tobacco products and create new demand among young people. The UK decision to ban oral snuff is a historic step and will deny tobacco companies the ability to create new demand for a harmful substance among children.