"Oregon 2-Step" Quit Tobacco Program Introduced.

Business Editors

MANZANITA, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2000

The new "Oregon 2-Step(TM)" Quit Tobacco Program is squarely aimed at this country's 47 million smokers and 10 million smokeless tobacco users.

"University researchers have pointed the way," said Bill Geiger, president of Oregon Mint Snuff Co. "The `Oregon 2-Step' is an affordable, drug-free, self-help quit tobacco program for all 57 million nicotine-addicted tobacco users.

"Step 1," said Geiger, "is for smokers is to switch to a safer nicotine delivery system -- smokeless tobacco in the form of practically invisible teabag-like pouches. Step 2 is to switch from those to tobacco-free, 100 percent safe Oregon Mint Snuff Pouches(TM). They feel just like tobacco pouches, and they satisfy the need for oral gratification -- with none of tobacco's dangers."

Independent research published this year provides the basis for the "Oregon 2-Step" program. Over the summer, two health experts recommended that inveterate smokers (those unable to quit) switch to smokeless tobacco to reduce their health risks. This is the essence of a "harm reduction" strategy put forth by Drs. Brad Rodu and Philip Cole of the University of Alabama/Birmingham.

"All forms of tobacco use are associated with health risks and are to be discouraged," they wrote. "But, all forms of tobacco use are not associated with health risks of the same type or magnitude. For example, risks from cigarette smoking result in the loss of an average of eight years of life for smokers. In contrast, lifelong smokeless tobacco users lose 0.04 year on average.

"Our strategy involves converting inveterate smokers to the use of smokeless tobacco as a safe, effective and economical alternative source of nicotine."

Rodu and Cole say their switch-to-smokeless strategy works because: Smoking is an efficient way to absorb nicotine, but nicotine does NOT cause cancer, heart attacks or emphysema; Smokeless tobacco is 98 percent safer than smoking; And smokeless tobacco (which is NOT chewing tobacco) can be used invisibly in any social situation, much like a breath mint.

Rodu is the author of the book, For Smokers Only: How Smokeless Tobacco Can Save Your Life (www.DrRodu.com or 205/934-3380).

The important Step 2 to quit tobacco is the switch from smokeless tobacco pouches to tobacco-free, nicotine-free, natural Oregon Mint Snuff Pouches.

Experts at the Tobacco Research Program at the University of Minnesota Medical School, with support from the National Institutes of Health, reported in Spring 2000 that Oregon Mint Snuff "reduced craving and withdrawal symptoms" in smokeless tobacco users who were enrolled in a treatment program.

The Oregon Mint Snuff Pouch rests between the cheek and gum, allowing special flavor crystals to slowly dissolve. Mint, sugar-free wintergreen, cinnamon and fruit-zilla flavored pouches actually freshen your breath, as they free you from tobacco. A single pouch can last up to an hour; they're virtually invisible to others and they don't interfere with conversation.

Oregon Mint Snuff Pouches are available in food and drug stores nationwide, and can be ordered online at QuitTobacco.com, or toll-free at 800/EAT-MINT.

"Do the `Oregon 2-Step' at your own pace," said Geiger. "But start today."