Spit (Smokeless) Tobacco In 1986, the U.S. Surgeon General concluded that the use of spit tobacco is not a safe substitute for smo king cigarettes or cigars, as thes e products can cause var ious cancer s and non can cero us ora l conditions, and can lead to nicotine addition. Some of these conditions are listed below . Cancer of the mouth and pharynx Leukoplakia (white sores in the mouth that can lead to cancer) Gum recession, or peeling back of gums Bone loss around the teeth Abrasion of teeth Bad breath The most serious health effect of spit tobacco is an increased risk ofcancer of the mouth and pharynx. Oral cancer occurs several times more frequently among snuff dippers compared with non-tobacco users. The risk of cancer ofthe cheek and gums may increase nearly 50-fold among long-term snuff users. Leukoplakia is a white sore or patch in the mouth that can become cancerous. Studies have consistently found high rates of Leukoplakia at the place in the mouth where users place the "chew." One study found that almost 3/4 of dail y users of mois t snuff, and chewing tobacc o had non-cance rous or pre-can cerous lesio ns (sores) in the mouth. The longer you use spit tobacco, the more likely you are to have Leukoplakia. Studies have shown that about 7% to 27% of regular spit tobacco users have gum recession and bone loss around the teeth. The surface of the tooth root may be exposed where gums have drawn back. Tobacco can irritate or destroy the tissue. Spit tobacco may also play a role in cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. Nicotine enters the users' bloodstream through the lining of the mouth and/or the gastrointestinal tract. Nicotine causes your heart to beat faster and your blood pressure to go up. Why Is It So Hard To Quit? Spit tobacco delivers a high dose of nicotine. An average dose for snuff is 3.6 mg, for chewing tobacco, 4.6 mg - compared to 1.8 mg for cigarettes. Blood levels of nicotine throughout the day are similar among smokers and those who use spit tobacco. A report in the Journal of the American Medical Association calculated that smokeless tobacco users ". . . who use dip or chew 8-10 times a day might be exposed to the same amount of nicotine as people who smoke 30-40 cigarettes a day." Stopping spit tobacco use causes symptoms of nicotine withdrawal that are similar to those smokers get when they quit.
