Examining Market Trends in Smokeless Tobacco Sales in the United States: 2011-2019

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of smokeless tobacco (SLT) sales trends in the United States from 2011 to 2019. The study uses retail market scanner data from Nielsen's Convenience Track System to examine SLT sales by product attributes, including type, parent company, brand, form, and flavor. The key points highlight the market share of different SLT products, trends in sales, and the impact of regulatory changes on SLT sales.

Key Points:

* SLT sales increased by 5.8% between 2011 and 2016 but declined by 3.9% from 2016 to 2019.
* Moist snuff sales increased by 8.1% between 2011 and 2016 and then declined 7.4% from 2016 to 2019, accounting for roughly 90% of the overall market annually.
* Snus sales consistently increased, while sales of chew, dry snuff, and dissolvables decreased.
* Tobacco-free nicotine products emerged in 2016 and captured 4.0% of the market by 2019.
* Portion pouch packaging and flavors showed consistent growth, although their popularity varied by the type of smokeless product.
* The two largest SLT companies, Altria and Reynolds American/British American Tobacco, consistently held 85-90% of the market.
* Moist snuff became more flavored over time, with two out of three moist snuff products sold being flavored by 2019.
* The market is dominated by two companies, Altria and Reynolds American/British American Tobacco, which consistently held 85-90% of the market.

Main Message:
The SLT market in the United States is transforming, with newer products gaining market share and regulatory changes impacting SLT sales. Continued monitoring of SLT sales is necessary, particularly given the new modified risk status of several products. The study highlights the importance of understanding SLT market trends and the impact of regulatory changes on SLT sales.

Delnevo, C. D., Hrywna, M., Miller Lo, E. J., & Wackowski, O. A. (2021). Examining Market Trends in Smokeless Tobacco Sales in the United States: 2011-2019. Nicotine & Tobacco Research: Official Journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, 23(8), 1420–1424. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaa239