Smokeless Tobacco

Summary

Many people who chew tobacco or dip snuff think it’s safer than smoking. But you don’t have to smoke tobacco for it to be dangerous. Chewing or dipping carries risks like:

• Cancer of the mouth
• Decay of exposed tooth roots
• Pulling away of the gums from the teeth
• White patches or red sores in the mouth that can turn to cancer

Recent research shows the dangers of smokeless tobacco may go beyond the mouth. It might also play a role in other cancers, heart disease and stroke.

Smokeless tobacco contains more nicotine than cigarettes. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug that makes it hard to stop using tobacco once you start. Having a quit date and a quitting plan can help you stop successfully.

NIH: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Find an Expert

• American Cancer Society American Cancer Society
• National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Prevention and Risk Factors

• BeTobaccoFree.gov Department of Health and Human Services

Related Issues

• Cancer and Tobacco Use Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Smokeless Tobacco: Health Effects Department of Health and Human Services

Specifics

• Chewing Tobacco and Other Forms of Smokeless Tobacco Are More Harmful and Addictive Than You Might Think. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• E-Cigs, Menthol, and Dip National Cancer Institute, Tobacco Control Research Branch

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Tobacco, Smokeless National Institutes of Health

Start Here

• Health Risks of Smokeless Tobacco American Cancer Society

Journal Articles

• Smokeless Tobacco

Teenagers

• Smokeless Tobacco Nemours Foundation