Smokeless Tobacco
Lately It Seems Like a Lot of People are Using Spit Tobacco. Is this True?
No. A recent study among SUNY Canton, SUNY Potsdam, St. Lawrence and Clarkson University students showed that only 2-3% of all students use smokeless tobacco. And, contrary to popular belief, very few athletes on these campuses are using spit tobacco.
Is Smokless Tobacco Safer than Cigarettes?
No. Smokeless tobacco is highly addictive. Nicotine is the main ingredient in smokeless tobacco, and the main ingredient that causes addiction. The amount of nicotine in one dip can provide as much as five times the amount found in one cigarette. I know what you are thinking… nicotine doesn’t cause cancer. You should also know that smokeless tobacco has about 28 known cancer causing agents. Putting smokeless tobacco in your mouth increases the chances that cancer will grow in there.
The Risks of Using Smokeless Tobacco
- It Causes Oral Cancer. People who use smokeless tobacco are up to 50 times more likely to get cancer of the mouth than non-users.
- It Leads to Other Cancers. Mouth cancer can quickly spread to other parts of the body. People who use smokeless tobacco have a higher chance of developing cancer of the pharynx, esophagus and larynx than non-tobacco users.
- It Damages the Heart by making the heart work harder.
- It Causes High Blood Pressure and raises cholesterol.
- It Causes Tooth Decay and Cavities.
- It Irritates the Throat and Stomach. Swallowing the juices from smokeless tobacco can cause Stomach Cancer.
If you are using Spit Tobacco, here are some early warning signs you should look for:
- A sore in your mouth that doesn’t heal.
- A lump or white patch in your mouth.
- A red patch of wrinkled skin in your mouth.
- Difficulty moving your jaw
Quit now before it’s too late!