Smokeless Tobacco and its risk of cancer – Fact or Myth?

Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of cancer and other chronic health problems. Smokeless tobacco is tobacco that is put directly into the mouth instead of being smoked. It may also be called chewing tobacco or snuff. Smokeless tobacco is made from the leaves of tobacco plants and it comes in several forms:

• Loose, dry leaves, plugs, or twists.
• Moist pouches.
• Dissolving lozenges or strips.

Chewing, sucking, or holding the tobacco in your mouth causes your mouth to make more saliva. The saliva mixes with the tobacco to make “tobacco juice” that is swallowed or spit out.

How can smokeless tobacco affect me?

Using smokeless tobacco:

• Increases your risk of developing cancer. Smokeless tobacco contains at least 28 different types of cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens).
• Increases your chances of developing other long-term health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and dental problems.
• Can make you become addicted. Nicotine is one of the chemicals in tobacco. When you chew tobacco, you absorb nicotine from the tobacco juice. This can make you feel more alert than usual.
• Can cause problems with pregnancy. Pregnant women who use smokeless tobacco are more likely to miscarry or deliver a baby too early (premature delivery).
• Can affect the appearance and health of your mouth. Using smokeless tobacco may cause bad breath, yellow-brown teeth, mouth sores, cracking and bleeding lips, gum recession, and lesions on the soft tissues of your mouth (leukoplakia).

What are the benefits of not using smokeless tobacco?

The benefits of not using smokeless tobacco include:

• A healthy mind because:
  • You avoid addiction.
• A healthy body because:
  • You avoid dental problems.
  • You promote healthy pregnancy.
  • You avoid long-term health problems.
• A healthy wallet because:
  • You avoid costs of buying tobacco.
  • You avoid health care costs in the future.
• A healthy family because:
  • You avoid accidental poisoning of children in your household.

What can happen if I continue to use smokeless tobacco?

If you continue to use smokeless tobacco, you will increase your risk for developing certain cancers. These include:

• Tongue.
• Lips, mouth, and gums.
• Throat (esophagus) and voice box (larynx).
• Stomach.
• Pancreas.
• Bladder.
• Colon.

Long-term use of smokeless tobacco can also lead to:

• High blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
• Gum disease, gum recession, and bone loss around the teeth.
• Tooth decay.

How do I quit using smokeless tobacco?

Quitting the use of smokeless tobacco can be hard, but it can be done. Follow these steps:

• Pick a date to quit. Set a date within the next two weeks. This gives you time to prepare.
• Write down the reasons why you are quitting. Keep this list in places where you will see it often, such as on your bathroom mirror or in your car or wallet.
• Identify the people, places, things, and activities that make you want to use tobacco (triggers) and avoid them.
• Get rid of any tobacco you have and remove any tobacco smells. To do this:
  • Throw away all containers of tobacco at home, at work, and in your car.
  • Throw away any other items that you use regularly when you chew tobacco.
  • Clean your car and make sure to remove all tobacco-related items.
  • Clean your home, including curtains and carpets.
• Tell your family, friends, and coworkers that you are quitting. This can make quitting easier.
• Ask your health care provider for help quitting smokeless tobacco. This may involve treatment. Find out what treatment options are covered by your health insurance.
• Keep track of how many days have passed since you quit. Remembering how long and hard you have worked to quit can help you avoid using tobacco again.

Where can I get support?

Ask your health care provider if there is a local support group for quitting smokeless tobacco.

Where can I get more information?

You can learn more about the risks of using smokeless tobacco and the benefits of quitting from these sources:

• National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov
• American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org

When should I seek medical care?

Seek medical care if you have:

• White or other discolored patches in your mouth.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• A change in your voice.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Summary

• Smokeless tobacco contains at least 28 different chemicals that are known to cause cancer (carcinogen).
• Nicotine is an addictive chemical in smokeless tobacco.
• When you quit using smokeless tobacco, you lower your risk of developing cancer.