Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/550313
tobaccoasia 77 importance of research and development of heated non-flam- mable low-temperature cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, oral tobacco, and other new types of tobacco products. This was defined as a strategic goal, an overall and long-term major issue that would support sustainable development. Presently, at a time when traditional cigarettes continue to lead cigarette markets in China, STG already started the process of actively delving into r&d of new types of tobacco products. In March 2014, in compliance with the requirement for "proceed- ing from a higher start point, taking extraordinary steps, and realizing a great leap forward in development", STG established the New-Type Tobacco Products Research and Development Engineering Center, formed a new r&d task force, comprising highly qualified professionals, and allocated a 4,000 square me- ter building. On July 17-18, 2014, STMA deputy director general Yang Peisen inspected STG, as well as its new new r&d center. During the inspection, he said that STG should not only play a prominent role in the manufacturing of traditional tobacco products, but should also take the lead in the r&d of innovative tobacco products. In response STG has actively taken steps forward, so far developing a series of innovative tobacco products, including oral tobacco and electronic cigarettes. The beginnings of oral tobacco "As early as 2008, we began to pay attention to new products and started the relevant research and development," said Wang Shen, the leader in charge of the oral tobacco development project. After conducting surveys and research, the center be- lieved that oral tobacco had developed to a relatively mature level in markets abroad, and that it could be a major supple- ment to traditional tobacco products. In 2011, along with its pioneering work in developing and researching smokeless to- bacco products, STG embarked upon the path of independent r&d of oral tobacco. The entranceway of Shanghai Tobacco Group.