Hi Bob,

I'm going to add another info sheet on smokeless tobacco as long as you've begun this thread. Also, noticed your referrence to a bartender who swallowed the smokeless tobacco. That greatly increases the users' chance of both esopheagyl and stomach cancer and an even deadlier combination is alcohol and smokeless tobacco. They are BOTH tremendous irritants to the soft tissues that line the digestive tract, beginning with the mouth and when used in combination, almost a surefire setup for trouble. Many of these cancers do NOT show up until later in life whether the addicted person is still using at that time or not. So getting off and staying off this way of supplying nicotine is important to do as soon as possible.

It is interesting.....the drug chain I work for, and it is one of the three largest in the US, carries cigarettes, cigars and other smoking accessories, but does NOT carry smokeless tobacco, at least not here in Ohio. I do know that the tobacco space behind the front registers is completely funded by the tobacco companies and they check that space out once a week to make sure that their product is displayed accurately. Perhaps the smokeless company chose not to pay the price but we as addicts will pay the highest price of all if we chose to not heed Joel's warning and take another puff, or dip, or whatever.
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Linda



What Is Spit Tobacco?


There are two forms of spit tobacco: chewing tobacco and snuff. Chewing tobacco is usually sold as leaf tobacco (packaged in a pouch) or plug tobacco (in brick form) and both are put between the cheek and gum. Users keep chewing tobacco in their mouths for several hours to get a continuous high from the nicotine in the tobacco.
Snuff is a powdered tobacco (usually sold in cans) that is put between the lower lip and the gum. Just a pinch is all that's needed to release the nicotine, which is then swiftly absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in a quick high. Sounds ok, right? Not exactly, keep reading.

What's in Spit Tobacco?

Chemicals. Keep in mind that the spit tobacco you or your friends are putting into your mouths contains many chemicals that can have a harmful effect on your health. Here are a few of the ingredients found in spit tobacco:
Polonium 210 (nuclear waste)
N-Nitrosamines (cancer-causing)
Formaldehyde (embalming fluid)
Nicotine (addictive drug)
Cadium (used in car batteries)
Cyanide
Arsenic
Benzene
Lead (nerve poison)


The chemicals contained in chew or snuff are what make you high. They also make it very hard to quit. Why? Every time you use smokeless tobacco your body adjusts to the amount of tobacco needed to get that high. Then you need a little more tobacco to get the same feeling. You see, your body gets used to the chemicals you give it. Pretty soon you'll need more smokeless tobacco, more often or you'll need stronger spit tobacco to reach the same level. This process is called addiction.

Some people say spit tobacco is ok because there's no smoke, like a cigarette has. Don't believe them. It's not a safe alternative to smoking. You just move health problems from your lungs to your mouth.

Physical and Mental Effects

If you use spit tobacco, here's what you might have to look forward to:

Cancer. Cancer of the mouth (including the lip, tongue, and cheek) and throat. Cancers most frequently occur at the site where tobacco is held in the mouth.

Leukoplakia. Whoa, what's this? When you hold tobacco in one place in your mouth, your mouth becomes irritated by the tobacco juice. This causes a white, leathery like patch to form, and this is called leukoplakia. These patches can be different in size, shape, and appearance. They are also considered pre-cancerous. If you find one in your mouth, see your doctor immediately!

Heart disease. The constant flow of nicotine into your body causes many side effects including: increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and sometimes irregular heart beats (this leads to a greater risk of heart attacks and strokes). Nicotine in the body also causes constricted blood vessels which can slow down reaction time and cause dizziness, not a good move if you play sports.

Gum and tooth disease. Spit tobacco permanently discolors teeth. Chewing tobacco causes halitosis (BAD BREATH). Its direct and repeated contact with the gums causes them to recede, which can cause your teeth to fall out. Spit tobacco contains a lot of sugar which, when mixed with the plaque on your teeth, forms acid that eats away at tooth enamel, causes cavities, and chronic painful sores.

Social effects. The really bad breath, discolored teeth, gunk stuck in your teeth, and constant spitting can have a very negative effect on your social and love life.

An even more serious effect of spit tobacco is oral cancer, and the surgery for this could lead to removal of parts of your face, tongue, cheek or lip.

Early Warning Signs

Check your mouth often, looking closely at the places where you hold the tobacco. See your doctor right away if you have any of the following:

  • a sore that bleeds easily and doesn't heal
  • a lump or thickening anywhere in your mouth or neck
  • soreness or swelling that doesn't go away
  • a red or white patch that doesn't go away
  • trouble chewing, swallowing, or moving your tongue or jaw
  • even if you don't find a problem today, see your doctor or dentist >every three months to have your mouth checked. Your chances for a cure are higher if oral cancer is found early.
©2002 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery One Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314-3357, 1-703-836-4444

Edited 1 time by JohnPolito Apr 8 11 9:00 AM.