RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. says it's idling a Virginia manufacturing plant that makes its Marlboro snus smokeless, spit-less tobacco.
The subsidiary of Altria Group said Wednesday it is moving production from the York County facility to various locations Smokeless owns in the U.S.
The Richmond-based company began testing the product in select markets in 2007 and took it nationwide in March 2010.
Snus are teabag-like pouches that users stick between their cheek and gum. Tax hikes, health concerns, smoking bans and social stigma continue to cut cigarette demand. Tobacco companies are seeking growth in alternatives to keep customers
Spokesman Ken Garcia said as of Wednesday, the plant employed 41 people. The company is working to place as many of those workers as possible at other manufacturing facilities.