Are chewing tobacco and snuff safe alternatives to cigarette smoking?
No. Smokeless tobacco contains nicotine, the same addictive drug found in cigarettes. Snuff dippers consume on average more than 10 times the amount of cancer-causing substances (nitrosamines) than cigarette smokers. In fact, some brands of smokeless tobacco contain as much as 20,000 times the legal limit of nitrosamines permitted in certain foods and consumer products, such as beer, bacon, and baby bottle nipples. The juice from the smokeless tobacco is absorbed directly through the lining of the mouth. This creates sores and white patches which often lead to cancer of the mouth. Smokeless tobacco users greatly increase their risk of other cancers including gum, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus. Other consequences of smokeless tobacco use include halitosis (chronic bad breath), discoloration of teeth and fillings, gum disease, and tooth loss. Since nearly 25% of adult smokeless tobacco users also smoke cigarettes, their risks of developing cancer is higher. 23. What are the health risks
