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“Promoting substance addiction is not compatible with our philosophy of MAKING LIFE ON BIKES BETTER.
ZYN is manufactured by a subsidiary of tobacco giant Philip Morris International, so this would appear to be the latest attempt by big business to profit from selling addiction, just like the current vape epidemic.
We do not believe that motorcycle race fans or indeed motorcyclists in general will benefit from the promotion of addiction in this way.
Regretfully, we have to consider whether we wish to associate our brands with BSB, otherwise the pinnacle of motorcycle racing in the UK.”
Oxford reviewing BSB involvement over ethical concerns.
Oxford Products has been constantly involved in motorcycle racing at one level or another since the mid-1970s.
Indeed, the company was formed by race fanatic Alec Hammond in 1973 to fund involvement in the sport.
In recent years, a large proportion of Oxford’s race budget has been allocated to the incredibly successful British Superbikes (BSB) championship, sponsoring both racers and teams at the highest level.
Christian Iddon, 2015, riding for Oxford-backed Tyco BMW. Christian has been part of the Oxford family on track in BSB since 2011!
Iddon would later join teammate Tommy Bridewell at Oxford Products Racing Ducati
This commitment is now under scrutiny since BSB’s owner MSV signed a title sponsorship deal with a Swedish brand promoting potentially harmful nicotine pouches.
According to a company spokesperson:
“Promoting substance addiction is not compatible with our philosophy of MAKING LIFE ON BIKES BETTER.
ZYN is manufactured by a subsidiary of tobacco giant Philip Morris International, so this would appear to be the latest attempt by big business to profit from selling addiction, just like the current vape epidemic.
We do not believe that motorcycle race fans or indeed motorcyclists in general will benefit from the promotion of addiction in this way.
Regretfully, we have to consider whether we wish to associate our brands with BSB, otherwise the pinnacle of motorcycle racing in the UK.”
This is the latest indicator of Oxford’s increasingly strict ethical approach to doing business, following unprecedented investment in sustainability, colleague welfare, and staff profit sharing.
Christian Iddon with Teammate Ben Currie in 2023
Recently published by HARVARD School of Public Health:
Zyn pouches—nicotine pouches that people use by placing them in their mouths— may help adult smokers quit, but they could also unintentionally encourage young people to start using a nicotine product, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Vaughan Rees.
In an April 10 USA Today article, Rees, senior lecturer on social and behavioral sciences and director of the Center for Global Tobacco Control, said that products like Zyn may be appealing to young people because they are less dangerous than smoking—but that doesn’t mean they’re risk-free.
“Zyn presents significantly lower health risks than smoking, because it does not contain cancer-causing chemicals and other toxic substances found in cigarette smoke,” Rees said. “So Zyn may offer adult smokers who have not been able to quit smoking a way to reduce their exposure to the toxic chemicals that cause disease, including cancer.”
But the nicotine in Zyn pouches is highly addictive and it may increase cardiovascular disease risk in people not already using nicotine products, Rees said. “Teens and young adults who do not smoke or vape should avoid this product,” he said.
