Zuka has redesigned the traditional packing and delivery systems of conventional snuff with the vending industry in mind in order to plug the gap left by cigarettes and to help fill the shortfall in vending machine stocks. Zuka Black and Zuka Zee are sold in a box, the same size and shape as a cigarette packet, which splits across the middle when opened. Within the packet is a cotton handkerchief with a set of instructions on how to use Zuka and two bullet shaped dispensers containing the product. The dispenser consists of a small container that feeds a chamber, which can be loaded with snuff and sniffed from. The dispensers are tamper proof, 100% recyclable and contain around 60 shots of snuff. Please see www.zukaonline.com for a demonstration.

Michael Coyle, Managing Director of Zuka commented: “At Zuka we think that snuff has been overlooked for a long period as a socially acceptable alternative to smoking. As such we want to bring it up to date and make it the tobacco product of choice to an entirely new generation of British consumers. At least this way those smokers that wish to continue enjoying tobacco after the ban can get their nicotine in a way that doesn’t require them to stand outside in the rain every time they want to satisfy a craving. We have improved, refined and updated a product that we believe is going to get up everyone’s nose.”

Over the past year Zuka has been developing and refining traditional snuff recipes and has come up with varieties of snuff designed to suit twenty first century tastes. Zuka Black is tobacco based and is a mild blend, flavoured with citrus fruits to give the user a pleasant snuff experience. Zuka Zee is an entirely natural menthol flavoured tobacco-free snuff, made from glucose, which gives anyone taking it an instant lift.

Zuka Zee and Zuka Black are currently available online (www.zukaonline.com) and at more than 200 bars and clubs across London, with costs based on the traditional cigarette pricing system. Zuka will be available throughout the UK in specially selected pubs, clubs and retail outlets in the coming months.

About snuff…

Snuff is any powder prepared for sniffing although the main use of the term is for powdered tobacco. Tobacco snuff is made by selecting tobacco leaf and disintegrating it into a coarse powder. It is next ground in a manual or mechanical mill, and then sieved. Various essential oils may then be added for flavouring, after which it is stored in airtight containers to allow the flavour to permeate uniformly.

Snuff first arrived in Europe from America in 1496 when it was brought back by Christopher Columbus who had seen the Indians using it. It first became popular among the Spanish and French aristocracy. During his exile in France, King Charles II discovered it and on his return to England, introduced it to the English aristocracy.

Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III, had such a passion for snuff that she soon earned the nickname ‘Snuffy Charlotte’. It wasn’t until 1702 that it reached the general population when the English navy captured a number of Spanish ships and the sailors were partially paid with snuff seized from these ships. Shortly after their return to England, the sailors began to introduce snuff to the ports and coastal towns of England.

Into the 19th Century, the production of snuff was greater than the production of tobacco for smoking or chewing. Well known users included the poet Alexander Pope, Charles Darwin, the Duke of Wellington and Lord Nelson. Napoleon was said to have used over 7 pounds of snuff a month. In addition, physicians prescribed snuff as a cure for headaches, sleeplessness, toothaches, coughs and colds. During the 20th Century, snuff fell out of favour as pushed into the background by cigarettes and cigars.

Contact Zuka on tel: 01245 348393

For more information and a demonstration visit www.zukaonline.com

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