Dear Concerned Son,

Plug, leaf, and snuff are three smokeless tobaccos that have resurged in America as the number of adults smoking cigarettes have declined. But smokeless tobacco is NOT immune to causing health problems, nor is it a safe substitute for cigarette smoking. Cancer is still a great risk for users of smokeless tobacco.

• All tobacco can cause cancer.
• People who use smokeless tobacco are several times more likely to be at risk for oral cancer than people who don't use tobacco.
• Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and blood levels of nicotine of smokeless tobacco users are similar to those of cigarette smokers.
• After only a few years of smokeless tobacco use, a permanent sore can develop in the mouth.
• The nicotine in smokeless tobacco has addictive properties, and can cause chemical dependence.
• Other results of smokeless tobacco use are gingivitis, gingival recession, tooth loss, and mucosal changes.
• Deleterious in utero effects may be caused by the use of smokeless tobacco. Heavy metals, like lead and cadmium, are found in the blood stream of users at levels that can be harmful to a fetus.
• Tumor-initiating properties, the carcinogenic nitrosamines NNN and NNK, are prevalent in unburned tobacco. Snuff has as much as 135 mg/kg of NNN and 14 mg/kg of NNK.

For more information, contact the American Cancer Society at 800.ACS.2345 / -227.2345.

Alice

Related Q&As

Are clove cigarettes as bad as regular cigarettes?

Alcohol in mouthwash - Does it cause cancer?

Effects of smokeless tobacco

Quitting smokeless tobacco