Skoal tobacco
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Skoal tobacco is a dipping tobacco (a tobacco snuff product) marked as smokeless tobacco. Skoal has been produced by US Smokeless Tobacco since 1934.
It is fine ground tobacco which is available in two textures, Fine Cut and Long Cut, as well as two pouch varieties. It was originally produced with a wintergreen flavor but now comes in many different flavors, including: Mint, Wintergreen, Straight, Classic, Spearmint, Berry Blend, Vanilla Blend, Apple Blend, Peach Blend, Cherry, and the newest flavor, Citrus blend. The majority of flavors are available only in the long cut texture. Skoal is packaged in 1.2 oz tins.
As with other types of tobaccos, there are different graduated 'levels' of Skoal products, marked by how much nicotine is in the certain flavors, or styles. Flavors such as Spearmint, Mint, Wintergreen, Classic, and Straight contain large amounts of nicotine, thus people say they are the "strongest". Berry Blend, Apple Blend, Peach Blend and Vanilla Blend do not contain as much nicotine and is referred to as "weak" or "beginners chew". The difference between Fine-Cut and Long-Cut varieties is shown in the length of the individual strands of tobacco. Where Fine-Cut is ground to tiny chunks, Long-Cut is left in longer strands. The reason for being is twofold:
- Surface area - the amount of surface area per volume of Fine-Cut is greater than that of Long-Cut. This allows the user's saliva to absorb more nicotine from the product.
- Ease of use - users may have more difficulty managing Fine-Cut Skoal than with Long-Cut Skoal.
Recently, US Smokeless introduced a new form, called Bandits and Pouches. These forms are only available in Mint, Berry Blend, Straight, Apple Blend,and Wintergreen flavors.The tobacco is packed into thin pouches which is intended to make it easier to handle and place in the mouth. It may also helps protect against the common act of swallowing the tobacco, which may cause unpleasant side effects (nausea, vomiting, headache, etc.). Pouches contain three times as much tobacco than Bandits.
