Are spit tobacco and snuff safe alternatives to cigarette smoking?
There are many terms used to describe tobacco that is put in the mouth , such as spit, oral, smokeless, chewing, and snuff tobacco. The use of any kind of spit or smokeless tobacco is a major health risk. It is a less lethal substitute for smoking cigarettes but, less lethal is a far cry from safe. The amount of nicotine absorbed is usually more than the amount delivered by a cigarette. Overall, people who dip or chew get about the same amount of nicotine as regular smokers. The most harmful cancer-causing substances in spit tobacco are tobacco-specific nitrosamines which have been found at levels 100 times higher than the nitrosamines that are allowed in bacon, beer, and other foods. These carcinogens cause lung cancer in experimental animals, even when injected, not inhaled. The juice from the smokeless tobacco is absorbed directly through the lining of the mouth. This causes sores and white patches (called leukoplakia) that often lead to cancer of the mouth. People who use spit and
