Stamford, Connecticut-based U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC), a subsidiary of UST Inc., has announced that it will launch Skoal Straight Pouches on August 4, 2008 to capitalize on two strong growth trends:  the straight taste profile and the portion pack form.

“Skoal Straight Pouches represent the first combination of these two growing segments, and we anticipate strong adult consumer demand for this unique item,” said Thano Chaltas, USSTC Vice President of Marketing.

The moist smokeless tobacco (MST) category has enjoyed annual growth rates of 6% to 7% and a key driver of that growth has been adult smokers transitioning to smokeless tobacco, the company said.  Their research indicates that the majority of new adult MST consumers were smokers first.

Within the MST category, the pouch segment has more than doubled in size during the past four years.  Chaltas said that adult smokers prefer the “neat, easier to use, more discreet smokeless tobacco experience offered by pouches.”

The August launch of Skoal Straight Pouches will be supported by Skoal’s “Welcome to the Brotherhood” national integrated marketing campaign through their age-verified Web site, www.SkoalBrotherhood.com, advertising in adult-oriented magazines, adult sampling programs, direct mail, point-of-sale materials, and pre-packed promotional displays.

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company is a leading producer and marketer of moist smokeless tobacco products including primary brands Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal and Husky.