Smokeless Tobacco

What is SmokelessTobacco?

Smokeless tobacco, also known as dip and chew, snuff, or chewing tobacco, comes in two forms. Chewing tobacco comes as loose leaves of tobacco, as plug tobacco (brick form), or in a twist form. Snuff is finely ground (powdered) tobacco that is sold moist, dry, or in tea bag-like pouches called sachets. But no matter what it’s called, smokeless tobacco is highly addictive and can harm your health. Here’s why:

• Smokeless tobacco is still tobacco. Tobacco contains cancer-causing chemicals called nitrosamines.
• Like cigarettes, smokeless tobacco also contains nicotine—an addictive drug. In fact, holding an average-size dip in the mouth for just 30 minutes can deliver as much nicotine as smoking three cigarettes. Nicotine addiction can make quitting difficult.
• Smokeless tobacco may cause mouth cancer and other health problems.

If You Want to Quit…

Quitting smokeless tobacco is not easy. The most effective way to quit chewing tobacco is to have a quit date and a quitting plan. Successful quitters also include support teams in their plan— friends, family, and co-workers who can help during the difficult times when urges and temptations are strongest.

To learn more about smokeless tobacco and oral health, please see:

Publications

• Smokeless Tobacco: A Guide for Quitting 

Poster

• Take a Close Look at What the Tobacco Industry Won’t Show You
  A poster with an attention-getting picture of a fatal oral cancer.

Other Government Information

• Smokeless Tobacco and Cancer
  The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) gateway for information about chewing tobacco and snuff. Includes their fact sheet Smokeless Tobacco and Cancer: Questions and Answers.
• Smokeless (Oral) Tobacco
  Information from the CDC on smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco and snuff.
• I Quit! What to Do When You’re Sick of Smoking, Chewing, or Dipping
  A quitting guide from the CDC targeted to teens who are trying to quit cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. It includes tips for dealing with nicotine withdrawal and for handling the situations that may lead to relapse.
• Smokeless Tobacco: Topics in Brief
  A description of smokeless tobacco products and who uses them from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. 
• MedlinePlus: Smokeless Tobacco
  The National Library of Medicine's compilation of links to government, professional and non-profit/voluntary organizations with information on smokeless tobacco. 
   

Related Oral Health Topics

• Oral Cancer

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