Facts About Smokeless Tobacco
The idea behind this site is quitting dip. It’s our intention to get as much information (facts and figures) about quitting out there as possible… please let us know if you know of a resource that isn’t listed here!
Facts and Information About Smokeless Tobacco
- State of Tobacco Control 2024
The 22nd annual American Lung Association “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates states and the federal government on the proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies necessary to save lives. The report serves as a blueprint for what state and federal leaders need to do to eliminate the death and disease caused by tobacco use. In the report, the Lung Association assigns letter grades, A through F, to the state and federal policies best proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use. - What Is Chewing Tobacco? – Types and Health Risks
Chewing tobacco is not a safer alternative to smoke and poses significant health risks, including addiction. When you think about the dangers of tobacco, your mind probably jumps to cigarette smoke. While smoking tobacco is dangerous, ingesting it in other ways, like chewing it, can be equally harmful. - The Facts on the FDA’s New Tobacco Rule
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently finalized a rule that extends its regulatory authority to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, cigars, and hookah and pipe tobacco, as part of its goal to improve public health. - Nicotine and Toxicant Exposure among U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Users
Exclusive smokeless tobacco users had higher geometric mean concentrations of serum cotinine and NNAL than exclusive cigarette smokers. Smokeless tobacco users also had higher concentrations of blood lead compared with non tobacco users. - Effects of Nicotine on the Muscles
The fact is, nicotine affects the skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles, which can result in acute and chronic muscular dysfunctions such as a decrease in appetite, paralysis and asphyxiation. - Smokeless Tobacco and Risk of Head and Neck Cancer: Evidence From a Case-Control Study In New England
These findings suggest that long term use of smokeless tobacco increases the risk of HNSCC (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma) - Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Working Adults — United States, 2005 and 2010
Smokeless tobacco causes cancers of the oral cavity, esophagus, and pancreas. CDC analyzed National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data to estimate the proportion of U.S. working adults who used smokeless tobacco in 2005 and 2010, by industry and occupation - Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986
The full text of the act that requires health warnings on all packages and advertising for smokeless tobacco. - Brands & Flavors of Smokeless Tobacco, Dip, Snuff and Chewing Tobacco
KillTheCan.org is attempting to compile a complete list of snuff, chewing tobacco and dip. With all these “fun” flavors is there any doubt that the tobacco companies are targeting children? - Smokeless Warning Labels
Warning labels that are required to appear on each and every can of chew, dip or snuff. - 7 Easy Ways to Detect Oral Cancer
Provided by the Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas 4-H, and the Texas Cancer Council - Early Warning Signs of Oral Cancer
Do you suspect that you may be at risk for oral cancer? With about 36,500 people being diagnosed yearly, early detection of oral cancer is an indispensable approach to saving lives. The survival rate for oral cancer that is caught early on is 83%, so being mindful of the early symptoms and causes of oral cancer can help you to decide if getting your oral cancer screening is in order. - Take a Closer Look at What the Tobacco Industry Won’t Show You
A message from the National Institute of Dental Research and the National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health - Oral Cancer Are You At Risk? What Are The Signs & Symptoms? Should You Have An Oral Cancer Exam?
Provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Cancer Institute - Detecting Oral Cancer – A Guide For Health Care Professionals
Provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research - Leading Sites of New Cancer Cases and Deaths – 2007 Estimates
The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 24,180 new cases of oral cavity & pharynx cancer in 2007 - Facts You Should Know About Smokeless (Spit) Tobacco
- Smokeless Tobacco Quitting Tips
This quitting tips list was created by John R. Polito, a recovered nicotine addict, nicotine cessation educator and editor of www.whyquit.com - Nineteen Year Old Sean Marsee’s Tobacco Message
Is being dead at age 19 worth a dip of Kodiak, Skoal or Copenhagen? - Gruen Von Behrens’ Missing Jaw
A first hand account of what dipping tobacco can do for you. Gruen survived, but at a mighty cost.
UPDATE: Gruen passed away after a long battle with cancer on 9.8.2015 at the age of 38 - Smokeless Tobacco and Cancer: Questions and Answers
Questions and answers provided by the National Cancer Institute. - Spit Tobacco – A Guide For Quitting
Provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Cancer Institute - Smokeless Tobacco: Tips on How to Stop
Provided by the FamilyDoctor.org which is operated by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), a national medical organizations representing more than 93,700 family physicians, family practice residents and medical students. - Letter To My Younger Self – Curt Schilling
Former Major League Baseball picture and famed chewer Curt Schilling pens this letter to a younger version of himself. - Debunking Common Dip Myths: 5 Health Risks of Chewing Tobacco
To combat addiction to cigarettes, many have turned to equally-harmful chewing tobacco to satisfy cravings without understanding the highly addictive nature of smokeless products. One can of chewing tobacco contains more than two times the amount of nicotine that an average pack of cigarettes has, making them equally—if not more—harmful than smoking products. Toxic chemicals are just as prevalent in smokeless and put users at high-risk for various cancers and health complications. - Improving Tobacco Dependence Education Among the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry Faculty
Tobacco-related health problems are among the most preventable forms of illness. By assuming proactive tobacco use counseling roles, dental professionals can help reduce the number of people who use tobacco.
Got a fact or figure we’ve missed? Please pass it along!
This is awsome my dad has been chewing since he was 15 about 22 years. He is trying to quit with a No Tobacco Chew it looks exactly like it smells a bit different but he went from chewing 12 cans in 2 weeks to 2 cans a week.
What is the No Tobacco Chew that looks and smells similar to chew?
Hey Walter – there’s a SLEW of great ones. Which one I’d recommend depends on which flavor you’re looking to find a replacement for. You can find them all here: https://www.killthecan.org/your-quit/smokeless-alternatives/
2 weeks today. Good to hear the stories.
Congrats on two weeks Brandon – keep it up!
Just a word of caution about that two week mark https://www.killthecan.org/facts-figures/2-week-weakness/
Keep fighting – you’re doing great!
How much truth is there to Dr. Rodu’s research? It’s maddening that there is so much strong evidence that he seemingly has put forth.
Very interesting article. I have three years already quit tobacco use in all its manifestations. Three out of four users of oral tobacco have oral cavity damage. Spong tobacco diseases and inflammations of the gums, tooth decay, tissues attaching the teeth are dying, which can lead to early loss of teeth. In regular users of tobacco, the teeth are yellowish-brown or even black and covered with bloom. Breath gets unpleasant smell. One of the reasons why the use of spongy tobacco is common among young people is the belief that it is not as harmful as smoking.
I would like to see some facts about smokeless tobacco. Like what exactly is the shit is made out of? .. I’m on day two of quitting, and tomorrow is day three. It’s going ok for now. Got a serious craving tonight after supper. The site helps me
Deeply
What is do you mean by safe? Moist snuff and snus do not I repeat do not cause any type of cancer. It has been documented for the last several decades in scientific research. If you would like to present one scientific study that shows a link between moist snuff or snus causing cancer and controls for alcohol, smoking, and hpv exposure be my guest. Hint: there are none.
In that case, would you suggest deleting the entire cancer pictures and face surgery section on this web site so as to not “scare” people into quitting? one thing is for sure, dip is addicting and people here are trying to quit.
I don’t think anyone is claiming that tobacco or nicotine products in general aren’t addictive, it’s common knowledge that neurotropic stimulants have high addictive potential. I cannot claim to speak for others on the matter but in relation to James’ initial post as I interpreted it, dip, snus, etc. as shown by numerous studies conducted by third party organizations and or individual specialists have little to zero correlation to the occurrence of mouth or other mouth related cancers. Yes it is true that if one doesn’t practice proper proportionate oral hygiene then they are more likely to develop oral health problems (since starting to dip regularly myself I brush my teeth at least 3 times a day floss upwards of 10 times a day and use mouthwash every time I’ve finished a dip on top of after every meal and every time I brush my teeth). The fact to the matter is this, as a recovered addict of numerous substances (now completely sober just over 2.5 years) it is my belief as well as the majority of professionals who specialize in addiction, that an addict will only “get clean” once they’ve made up their mind to do so, no warnings or images of the health repercussions will really do much before that decision is made. I support anyone who decides that they need to quit a substance as it takes a great deal of inner strength to do so and I have a great deal of respect for those people, if you think that you have an addiction problem then the decision to stop is one that I back 100%. with that being said, I do take issue with the active spreading of disinformation whether the intent be benevolent or malicious. I use dip as a way to keep myself sober from everything else, as an informed adult I’ve taken the costs of this into account and the benefits outweigh them exponentially. Nothing is all good or all bad, everything comes with its own set of risks, and to suggest otherwise is a blatant lie. At the end of the day it comes down to the circumstances, method, and frequency of consumption. If INFORMED ADULTS want to quit nicotine products then they should, if INFORMED ADULTS want to continue using nicotine products then they should.
I’m posting to make sure this stays fresh…no pun. According to the WHO there is a preponderance of evidence linking chew and its many additives to at least 3 types of cancer. Guys, its not a question. Having kids and not wanting them to be over exposed (and wanting to live long enough to meet their kids), and quite honestly, being sick of waking up with what I can only describe as the taste of a 6 month old dried out sawdusty Copenhagen can in my mouth finally forced my hand. It was not easy, I’m a year and half to the day off the stuff after what was probably a 20 can every day or three habit of Cope. I had a few false starts before i kicked it. I still have cravings sometimes. I know I can’t have another dip and won’t and that’s it. If your just kicking or contemplating, know that it is absolutely possible, yes it is difficult, and no, you can’t just take one dip and be ok. It won’t work, trust me. My family is thankful, I’m thankful, and as an old guy athlete, I can also attest to the fact that my endurance improved within a few weeks. Thank you to the folks that put together and keep this site up. It helped and helps me. Good fortune to everyone
New here and liked your post.
Right on!!! Well said.
I am 29 days nic free. During that time I have sat with my daughter and watched two basketball games. I have gone to bed at decent times and enjoyed an early morning read after a good nights rest. I have saved money. I have begun singing again. I have had many more meaningful conversations with my wife. I have not worried once about cancer or whether I’ll see my granddaughter grow up. And this is just off the top of my head. This site is the biggest reason I am where I am today. Thank you!!
Great to hear! This alone has motivated me to stay off dip!
Let’s make it easy. 45k cases of oral cancer/yr. 75% tobacco, 25% non tobacco users. Do this exercise, contact the CDC,ncs,OCS,fda and ask them what % of their “tobacco users” smoke, smokeless, drink, HPV etc… Dont be surprised if you see claims like 75% of ALL oral cancer are SMOKERS(but how,thought you said 75% are TOBACCO users????).Lollll been there , done that, nothing…you try.
Meanwhile there is a last decade study that does this….
please learn the facts. rodutobaccotruth.blogspot.com. scare tactics are not science. there are virtually no studies linking smokeless tobacco to any meaningful disease. The only study linking a smokeless product to oral cancer is the Winn study done in 1981 on dry powdered snuff, a product rarely used this day in age, and a product containing a much higher level of contaminants. Current products have been studied extensively over the last 20-25 years and have been found to have no ill effects in humans. all national group medical sources quoted on the site mirror the Winn study or the IARC 2007 monograph(finds oral cancer risk in the third world country products and applies to all products,us and swedish moist snuff does not contain lime, an extremely caustic substance) and do not factor in any other evidence. the only truthful warning label on current products is that nicotine is addictive. however so is caffiene. the others have no scientific backing whatsoever. Tony Gwynn’s story( he had salivary gland cancer, proven not linked to any tobacco use). Curt Schilling case, he had Tonsil Cancer(linked to smoking, alcohol, and HPV) He most likely had HPV 16 positive cancer as it presented in a lymph node. Its unfortunanate and continues to fuel the misperception but many of the moderatotrs on here post thigs like addiction, disgusting, take your chances etc. Drugs like nicotine can be used very safely and it provides many benefits such as relaxation, concentration, etc. This is no different than caffiene as long as there is no smoke.
To answer Chewie’s question on corrections from above: everything, especially all the copy and paste jobs from smoking related sites to make them look like they are related to all tobacco products. Oral cancer presented on this site in young people related to smokeless is a coincidental diagnosis. again the only study showing any link, showed an avg of 55 years of use before cancer presentation and again in dry powdered snuff. Gruen and Marsee both had rare tongue cancer but they just happened to use smokeless so it was blamed the cause. Bender was a heavy smoker as well and now owns a Vape shop. go figure. Please see the comprehensive meta analysis done by Peter Lee and Jan Hamling. They reviewed every study ever done on smokless tobacco and found no link to any disease when controlling for smoking and heavy alcohol use. By the way alcohol has zero warning labels and is celebrated and causes much more illness and death than smokeless tobacco.
the tide is turning in this argument. the truth is coming out. Swedish Match filed with the FDA to have all unscientifcally based warning labels be removed from their products.
I think it is great if you want to help people if they want to quit for whatever reason. the drug nicotine is addictive and is not a natural state the body should be in. however again neither is drinking 5 cups of coffee per day. however IMO you lose all credibility by continuing the same misinformation that is out there today.
To reply to skippy above its basically made of air or fire cured dark tobacco, salt(added to increase PH level allow nicotine absorption), sugar and flavoring. Studies have shown there are 28 carcinogens in smokeless tobacco however they are in tiny amounts that are unproven at that level to cause harm. the dose determines the effect. also coffee has 21 of the 28 at similar levels and no one is calling a coffee drinker an addict or asking for disease.
As a nicotine addict for the past 45 years (cigarettes the first twenty, dip the past 25), I’m now at day 15 tobacco free. I personally have not researched the studies connecting smokeless tobacco to cancer, but at very least James mentioned that nicotine is not a natural state the body should be in; I agree. So thankful I quit smoking 25 years ago and now I’m looking forward to continued success in quitting tobacco all together.
I don’t know if dipping is related to cancer, but my reasons for quitting are: seems nicotine may be robbing my body of oxygen (I’m a runner), I chew more out of habit than enjoyment, it costs a lot of money and I could name a number of other reasons. I really did like dipping, but I just can no longer live with being a slave to it. If I could do a can a month, I’d probably never quit. I know for myself, that is not possible so I am resolved to give it up all together.
I live in Florida where a can costs $7.00. I had my cans shipped in by a friend from another state where I was paying $3.50 a can delivered. Just shipped back 75 cans, which my friend agreed to take back; that’s my first savings of about $250.
To all of you who wish to quit for whatever reason, I pray you do and wish you the resolve, strength and courage to do so.
Cope wintergreen is $5 a can where I am in Oregon, I used to drive to Idaho and buy my friends logs of the shit for half price. I am now three weeks free of dip and I wouldn’t be able to afford my apartment right now if I were still chewing a can a day
I’m right with you J at the three week mark and feeling good (that is other than the root canal I had today, lol).
Mr James, are you saying that Tobacco products are safe? and your argument is that people should not be discouraged from using these products? May I ask if you and your family use tobacco? Do you have kids? and if you do, do you tell them that tobacco products are safe to use?
Don’t think he is saying it is completely safe.
Do agree with him it is not very scientific to try using smoking statistics and lump those to create a false case against chewing tobacco (they are exclusive in way of ingestion).
We all put bad things in our mouths everyday (food, drinks, etc.) , most all of those items house known carcinogens.
All plant life has trace carcinogens: Fruits , vegetables, nuts and grains all contain them.
If someone stands down wind of a fire burning all day, whether what it is burning is natural or unnatural they are probably going to have some adverse health effects.
I think his argument is when you separate cigarettes from chew the risk of cancer and other health issues go down immensely. When you compare smokeless tobacco users to non tobacco users it is actually a fairly small percentage of risk increase.
I no longer use chew, I am 42 years old and chewed from age 15-36. I quit to make my wife and kids happy (to be truthful they are the only ones happy about it). I will admit I loved it, I was calmer and always in a better mood.
To answer your question, would I tell my kids that tobacco is safe? My answer is I’m not really sure, I know smoking cigarettes is bad. I have seen people die from things that can surely be attributed to its usage. I know quite a few people who chew tobacco, I have have fortunately not heard of any of them getting any kind of oral cancer to this point, but conversely know 2 people who have had mouth cancer and asked each of them if they ever chewed. One said they smoked for 12 years the other never used any tobacco products.
But I can tell you this for sure, you can warn your kids against everything you know or think is dangerous.
They are probably gonna be like most of us and do some of them anyway
bolgspot? wow definitely “alternative facts”
I would like to see some facts about smokeless tobacco. Like what exactly is the shit is made out of? .. I’m on day two of quitting, and tomorrow is day three. It’s going ok for now. Got a serious craving tonight after supper. The site helps me
sounds like an addict trying to rationalize their addiction by believing everything negative about the product the consume is lies and propaganda. Oliver just know this, you may or may not get some sort of cancer from dipping (or any tobacco product for that matter). Some people go their whole lives and never have a problem, then again some people use the product for 2 years and have to get their jaw removed. The fact of the matter is on a whole you are increasing your risk. If you want to just hope you will be one of the lucky ones, that’s your decision.
I thought this was a good site until I read all of the propaganda on the fact/figures page.
this is why kids don’t listen to adults. because they lie.
you idiots think you can scare people into a way of thinking. not unlike religion or any other propaganda.
it’s ignorant and irresponsible.
maybe open up a modern sociology book before you spew your garbage.
Thanks for chiming in Oliver – care to enlighten us as to what you’ve got an issue with here? What “lies” are you seeing here? I’d hate to think we’re spreading misinformation. If there’s something that needs to be addressed I certainly will.
Sir, they are not scaring anyone into anything, we come here on our own, most of the information posted here is contributed by ex addicts like myself, it is real life.
At least these guys are doing something to help out, if anything, just by encouraging us to desist from the disgusting habit.
If you find wrongful information in here then by all means let the administrators know, instead of complaining, you should help them.
Hi, my husband uses the pouches and I hate the nasty habit. He’s in denial and knows he should quit, but doesn’t. He always brushes his teeth afterward but I think it gets into the pores of his mouth and into his bloodstream. He is a runner and goes to the gym (4-5) days a week kinda guy. Sounds counter healthy to me. How can I help him quit?
Yes… it’s counter healthy.
This may be helpful: https://www.killthecan.org/community/spousal-support/