![Skoal Bandits Mint](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Skoal_Bandits_Mint.JPG)
Skoal is a brand of smokeless tobacco. Skoal is produced by the
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (formerly United States Tobacco Company) manufactures smokeless tobacco products, notably dipping tobacco, but also chewing tobacco, snus, and dry snuff and is a subsidiary of Altria.
Its corporate headquarters a ...
(USSTC), which is a subsidiary of
Altria
Altria Group, Inc. (previously known as Philip Morris Companies, Inc.) is an American corporation and one of the world's largest producers and marketers of tobacco, cigarettes and related products. It operates worldwide and is headquartered in ...
. It is considered a high-priced product within the
dipping tobacco
Dipping tobacco is a type of finely ground or shredded, moistened smokeless tobacco product. It is commonly and idiomatically known as "dip". Dipping tobacco is used by placing a pinch, or "dip", of tobacco between the lip and the gum (sublabia ...
market. Skoal was first produced by USSTC in 1934. "Skoal" is an Anglicisation of ''
skål'', a term used often in Scandinavia to announce a toast of friendship, with connotations of well-wishing.
Nicotine level
A study conducted by scientists at
R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
The R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) is an American tobacco manufacturing company based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and headquartered at the RJR Plaza Building. Founded by R. J. Reynolds in 1875, it is the second-largest tobacco comp ...
using both the
nicotine
Nicotine is a natural product, naturally produced alkaloid in the nightshade family of plants (most predominantly in tobacco and ''Duboisia hopwoodii'') and is widely used recreational drug use, recreationally as a stimulant and anxiolytic. As ...
levels and free nicotine Levels in common tobacco brands produced in 2006 generated the following ranked results:
Advancements in measurement. Using another measurement criteria known as the free nicotine level, a level which is generated mathematically using the nicotine levels and the pH level of the tobacco brand, the results are ranked on the chart below:
Nicotine level rankings
The results of this 2006 study on traditional moist snuff's most common varieties in terms of nicotine level only, show that Timberwolf Long Cut Winter Green, at 14.1 mg, is the highest, Copenhagen Long Cut, at 13.9 mg, is the second highest, and Longhorn's Long Cut Winter Green, at 13.8 mg, is third highest. The study also shows Cooper's Long Cut Winter Green, at 8.0 mg, is the lowest, Kodiak Long Cut Winter Green, at 10.7 mg, is second lowest, and Copenhagen Pouches and Grizzly Long Cut Wintergreen, both at 11.2 mg, tie for third last.
Skoal ranking
Skoal, with a long cut range of 12.7 mg
ied for 11th strongest level, (Skoal Long Cut Cherry) to a level of 13.4 mg of nicotine per gram of tobacco
ied for 4th strongest level, (Skoal Long Cut Straight)
Free nicotine level rankings
However, in terms of the free nicotine level, it can be seen from the results that
Kodiak Kodiak may refer to:
Places
*Kodiak, Alaska, a city located on Kodiak island
* Kodiak, Missouri, an unincorporated community
*Kodiak Archipelago, in southern Alaska
*Kodiak Island, the largest island of the Kodiak archipelago
** Kodiak Launch Com ...
Winter Green had the highest level at 8.2 mg, followed by Copenhagen Pouches at 6.8 mg, and
Grizzly
The grizzly bear (''Ursus arctos horribilis''), also known as the North American brown bear or simply grizzly, is a population or subspecies of the brown bear inhabiting North America.
In addition to the mainland grizzly (''Ursus arctos horri ...
Long Cut Winter Green at 5.9 mg. The three lowest brands, were Cooper Long Cut Winter Green at 1.1 mg, Skoal Long Cut Cherry at 1.7 mg, and Kayak Long Cut Winter Green with a free nicotine level at 2.3 mg.
Skoal ranking. Skoal had a long cut free nicotine level range of 1.7 mg
ied for 16th strongest level, (Skoal Long Cut Cherry)to 3.9 mg of free nicotine per gram of tobacco
ied for 8th strongest level (Skoal Long Cut Straight) and (Skoal Fine Cut Original)
Mixed opinions on strength
From these results, it can be seen that Skoal ranks among the upper average in most varieties of its dipping tobacco. However, in the nicotine level chart, a measurement designed to read how much nicotine one actually receives while using the product, Skoal's varieties ranged from average (8th) to poor (2nd to last) depending on flavor and texture.
Cuts and flavors
Skoal is packaged in a 1.2 oz plastic can with a metal lid and is available in three textures: fine cut, long cut and two different pouch sizes. Fine cut is more grain-like, while long cut is more string-like. Two pouch varieties of Skoal are also available, Bandits, which are small pouches, and standard size pouches. The tobacco is sealed in a teabag-like pouch, eliminating the problem of tobacco spreading through the mouth. They are also easier to remove, since the tobacco stays in the pouch throughout use. Skoal Bandits are smaller, 1 gram pouches. To compensate for the smaller portion of Bandits, tins of them contain 20 pouches, instead of the standard 15.
Skoal Original Fine Cut Wintergreen was originally sold in a fiberboard can with tin lid, just like Copenhagen, and was packaged in the plastic can with a tin lid. Skoal Long Cut has always been sold in a plastic can, and originally had a plastic lid as well.
The product originally produced was only available in wintergreen flavor,
but other flavors have been made available:
Skoal X-tra was introduced in 2011 and has a bolder flavor and slightly more nicotine than regular Skoal. Skoal X-tra Crisp Blend and Rich Blend are two regular Skoal flavors fused together. Crisp Blend is a combination of Apple and Citrus, while Rich Blend is a combination of Cherry and Berry.
Skoal ReadyCut was introduced in late 2012. It is 15 pre-formed cubes of long cut tobacco which eliminate the need for packing the tin and are more convenient than traditional long cut. As of 2015, it had largely been removed from most markets, with showings only in a few states and online.
When Skoal Long Cut was introduced, the original four flavors were:
* Wintergreen
* Mint (introduced in 1985)
* Straight
* Classic
In 1993, two new flavors added to the line-up:
* Cherry
* Spearmint
Many more flavors and varieties were subsequently added.
Discontinued
History
*1934: Skoal was introduced as a wintergreen-flavored smokeless tobacco.
*1983: Skoal Bandits were released.
*1984: Skoal Long Cut was released nationwide. It was introduced in four flavors: Wintergreen, Mint, Straight and Classic.
*1989: Skoal Bandits were introduced to the UK, but banned by the government shortly afterwards amid widespread health concerns
*2002: Skoal Berry Blend is introduced.
*2003: Skoal Vanilla Blend is introduced. (Discontinued in 2011)
*2004: Skoal Apple Blend is introduced.
*2007: Skoal Citrus Blend is introduced.
*2008: Skoal Edge, a bolder and cooler version of Skoal Long Cut Wintergreen, is introduced. (Discontinued in 2011)
*2010: Skoal pouches were released.
*2011: Skoal Snus was released.
*2011: Skoal Xtra was released in pouches and longcut.
*Early 2012: Skoal ReadyCut was released in a limited area. (Indiana, Florida, Kentucky and Virginia only)
*Late 2012: Skoal ReadyCut was available across the United States.
*2013: Skoal Xtra Mint Chill was released for trial in selected areas (Texas, South Carolina and Virginia only)
*2013: Skoal ReadyCut discontinued.
*Late 2015: Skoal Xtra Mint Chill discontinued
*Mid-2016: Re-introduction of Skoal Apple, Berry, and Citrus pouches
*Late 2018: Skoal Straight Classic Pouches discontinued
Popularity
![Harry Gant 33 Skoal Bandit](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Harry_Gant_33_Skoal_Bandit.jpg)
IRI infoscan data for 2012 indicated that Skoal tobacco held a 22.5% share of the US smokeless tobacco market. There have been several songs written about Skoal or containing references to Skoal such as "
Letter to Me
"Letter To Me" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Brad Paisley. It was released in October 2007 as the third single from his album '' 5th Gear''. The song spent four weeks at Number One on the '' Billboard'' Hot Count ...
" by
Brad Paisley
Bradley Douglas Paisley (born October 28, 1972) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Starting with his 1999 debut album ''Who Needs Pictures'', he has released eleven studio albums and a Christmas compilation on the Arista Nashvil ...
, "
The Grundy County Spitting Incident" by
Cledus T. Judd
James Barry Poole (born December 18, 1964) is an American country music artist who records under the name Cledus T. Judd. Known primarily for his parodies of popular country songs, he has been called the "Weird Al" Yankovic of country music, and ...
, "
Guys Like Me
"Guys Like Me" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Eric Church. It was released in January 2007 as the third single from his 2006 debut album '' Sinners Like Me''. The song peaked at number 17 on the US '' Billboard'' ...
" by
Eric Church
Kenneth Eric Church (born May 3, 1977) is an American country music singer-songwriter. He has released nine studio albums through Capitol Nashville since 2005. His debut album, 2006's '' Sinners Like Me'', produced three singles on the ''Billboar ...
, "
Beers Ago
"Beers Ago" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. It was released in March 2012 as the third and final single from his 2011 album ''Clancy's Tavern''. Keith co-wrote the song with Bobby Pinson. A remixed ve ...
" by
Toby Keith
Toby Keith Covel (born July 8, 1961), known professionally as Toby Keith, is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. He released his first four studio albums—1993's ''Toby Keith'', 1994's ''Boomtown'', 1996' ...
, and "
Fancy Like
"Fancy Like" is a song recorded by American country music singer Walker Hayes. It was released on August 2, 2021, from his fifth EP '' Country Stuff'' via Monument Records Nashville. Hayes co-wrote the song with Cameron Bartolini, Josh Jenkins, an ...
" by
Walker Hayes
Charles Edgar Walker Hayes (born December 27, 1979) is an American country-pop singer and songwriter. He has released three studio albums: ''Reason to Rhyme'' in 2011 on Capitol Records Nashville, and ''Boom (Walker Hayes album), Boom'' and ''Co ...
.
Ready Cut controversy
In late 2012, Skoal introduced their "ReadyCut" line. Ready cut was essentially the same as their previous tobacco offerings, with the primary difference being in the way in which it was presented in the can. As opposed to pouches, or loose tobacco, Ready Cut was pressed into small bricks roughly one inch long, and half an inch square. The premise behind this was that a user could get their average "pinch" without the need to pack the can, or spend too much time digging the tobacco out. Furthermore, there would be less tobacco dropped, making the ready cut bricks cleaner. Shortly after its introduction, however, many users began to complain that the number of bricks in the can did not equate the same amount of tobacco which the company claimed was packaged. (Most cans have roughly one ounce of loose tobacco in them, while the average number of pouches per can is in the 15 to 20 range.) Users noted that if the bricks were broken apart and pressed around to form the usual loose tobacco, the can itself seemed half full; thus being less than the advertised one ounce. As a result of this, and the perceived stigma associated with pouch use by regular users, Ready Cut sales quickly dwindled, to a point that by the end of 2013, Skoal had largely pulled Ready Cut from the market.
See also
*
Copenhagen (tobacco)
Copenhagen is a brand of dipping tobacco made by the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company.
Packaging and cuts
The product is available in pouches and different cuts of tobacco, including Fine Cut, Long Cut, and Extra Long Cut. Copenhagen Original Snu ...
*
Health issues related to smokeless tobacco
*
Tobacco
Tobacco is the common name of several plants in the genus '' Nicotiana'' of the family Solanaceae, and the general term for any product prepared from the cured leaves of these plants. More than 70 species of tobacco are known, but the ...
*
Dipping tobacco
Dipping tobacco is a type of finely ground or shredded, moistened smokeless tobacco product. It is commonly and idiomatically known as "dip". Dipping tobacco is used by placing a pinch, or "dip", of tobacco between the lip and the gum (sublabia ...
References
External links
Official websiteMarket information
{{Altria
Chewing tobacco brands
Tobacco brands
Products introduced in 1934
IARC Group 1 carcinogens