A Lexington marine who joined the corps at 30 has created a new tobacco product to keep on-duty soldiers alert.
Cpl. Matthew Doran, 34, along with his friend Cpl. Steven Rundel, 26, created Revved Up, a new smokeless tobacco infused with energy elements, similar to Red Bull.
Doran said the inspiration for Revved Up came to them while waiting in line at a base convenience store where they are stationed in Beaufort, S.C. While in line, Doran commented on a smokeless tobacco contained that labeled itself as waterproof, and featured a woman in a bathing suit on the cover.
He said as soon as it came out of his mouth, they knew it was a Eureka moment.
“There were two marines in line [in front of us] with energy drinks and smokeless tobacco, and we said, ‘this all makes too much sense,’” Doran said.
The two marines went back to their bunks and called a patent attorney. One hour and $75 dollars later, they had a provisional patent.
After unsuccessfully pitching the idea to the CEO of U.S. Tobacco, Doran and Rundel posted the idea to an Internet forum for smokeless tobacco users.
“Within four hours of the post we were contacted by someone from the tobacco industry, and we knew we had something,” Doran said.
Doran liquidated his cleaning business and financed a trip to a tobacco trade show in Las Vegas, where he met a tobacco businessman, Soo Baek. Baek connected the marines with Southern Smokeless Tobacco Company, out of Statesboro, Ga., and Doran said they hope to unveil the product next month.
He said Revved Up has been well received by the smokeless tobacco users at his base. He recognizes the health risks in using smokeless tobacco, and said his product is not to get people to start using.
“We do not look at it as trying to convert people to chew tobacco,” Doran said. “What we’re doing is giving our fellow troops … when they’re in combat, they’re doing it anyways because they’re not smoking as much. We’re giving them a better product that will keep them more alert, and may ultimately save their lives. They need this, and they want this.”
Doran said his product has 65 percent less carcinogens when compared to other smokeless tobacco, something he considers one of Revved Up’s biggest selling points.
