For a country already facing a heavy burden of cancer, chronic lung disease, heart disease and stroke linked to smoking, the emergence of unregulated products marketed as healthy alternatives could create a new public health challenge
After considering factors like age, gender, other tobacco use, occupation and participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program, researchers said those who stopped using snus had nearly half the mortality risk, similar to the benefit observed with smoking cessation
It also undermines economic development, as the total economic cost of smoking is estimated to exceed US$ 1.4 trillion per year, equivalent to 1.8% of the worlds annual gross domestic product (GDP)
Earlier related rulings in similar disputes have addressed the jurisdiction of district courts to invalidate trademark applications for lack of bona fide intent to use the mark in commerce