Smokeless Tobacco (Chew/Spit Tobacco)

Did you know that smokeless tobacco is very harmful to your health? Don’t let the term “smokeless” mislead you. There are over 3,000 chemicals in smokeless tobacco, including 28 that are known to cause cancer^1,4! Smokeless tobacco also contains abrasives that function to scratch the soft tissues of the mouth allowing nicotine and other chemicals to directly enter the bloodstream².

Did you know that 8 to 10 dips of smokeless tobacco is equivalent to 30 to 40 cigarettes in nicotine content²? One tin of snuff is the same amount of nicotine found in 60 cigarettes² !This makes smokeless tobacco extremely addictive.

Want information on quitting? See our Want to Quit page for quitting tips.

Also, note that the tobacco industry is strongly targeting youth with smokeless tobacco by adding sugars, yummy flavours, and fun packaging². Don’t be a victim! See our Tobacco Industries page.

Forms of Smokless Tobacco

• Chew can be found in loose leaf form that comes in little pouches; in compressed brick form called plug; or, in a twisted rope form that is called twist³.
• Snuff is a dry or moist powder available in tea-bag pouches or small tins. It is placed between the bottom lip and lower gum^3,2.

Health Risks of Smokeless Tobacco² 

• Mouth Cancer – 50% higher chance of developing mouth cancer (half of all oral cancer victims die within 5 years!)
• 40-50 % of users develop leukoplakia -- white leathery patches that can develop into cancer
• Throat Cancer – cancers of the voice box and esophagus
• Heart Disease – heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure
• Kidney Disease
• Dental Disease – stained teeth, tooth decay, receding gums, gum disease, bad breath, black hairy tongue, cavities
• Stomach problems – ulcers, stomach upset, increased bowel activity, and stomach cancer
• Loss of Taste and Smell
• Other Physical Changes – fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness, and decreased physical performance

To see a repulsive picture and for more information of what smokeless tobacco can do to you, click here.

WebPage References

² Lost Jaw, http://www.lostjaw.ca/ Date accessed Oct 17, 2007

⁴ The Canadian Cancer Society http://www.cancer.ca/ Date accessed: Oct 11, 2007