By Jane Sanders, Prevention Specialist
Jackson Recovery Centers, Inc.
New tobacco 'candy' may be responsible for poisoning nearly 600 children last year. After second hand smoke, eating tobacco 'candy' is the second most common source of unintentional tobacco consumption for kids.
Cigarette Alternatives
Dissolvable tobacco lozenges, marketed as "Camel Orbs," are meant for those who want a nicotine hit without smoking, chewing or sniffing tobacco. The company calls Orbs an "alternative for legal smokers who can't or don't want to quit, and who prefer to enjoy tobacco use without violating laws or social norms."
Orbs have been described as finely ground tobacco with mint or cinnamon flavoring that resemble breath mints. Although they can only be sold to adults above the age of 18, and are sold in what the company insists is "childproof packaging," teens are getting their hands on these through older friends or parents having them in the house. Younger children see their parents and others ingesting the tablets and follow their lead.
Products Appeal to Kids
Skeptics complain that Orbs pellets strongly resemble Tic-Tac mints, and could easily be mistaken for them. Also, there are concerns that children find the brightly colored packaging, candy-like appearance, and easily concealable size particularly appealing.
According to the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, these products have an extremely high level of absorbable nicotine, and can be lethal to very small children. Similar new products from RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company include thin, dissolvable strips similar to some breath mint products, and a tobacco "stick" resembling a toothpick.
The FDA is currently reviewing companies' research into the products which appeal to young people before setting any regulations. If you use these products, please be sure to keep them secured and out of reach of children.
Orbs in Siouxland
Sixty percent of all convenience stores in Siouxland were surveyed concerning the types of tobacco sold at their stores. At this time, none of the surveyed stores are selling the Camel Orbs.
If parents suspect their child is using a tobacco product:
Set and enforce clear guidelines about tobacco.
Monitor to ensure your child is following the guidelines.
Provide clear, consistent and positive reinforcements for following the guidelines, and appropriate, consistent negative consequences for violating them.
