Smokeless Tobacco

What is smokeless tobacco?

Smokeless tobacco, also called spit tobacco, comes in four forms:

• Tobacco chew is shredded tobacco leaves that are sold in pouches. A golf-ball sized wad of chew (also called a quid) is placed between the cheek and teeth and chewed.
• Plug is shredded tobacco leaves that are pressed into a hard block. A piece of plug tobacco is bitten or cut off the brick, placed between the gum and cheek and sucked on.
• Snuff is finely ground-up moist tobacco that is sold in tins. A bit of snuff is placed between the bottom lip and gum (also called "dipping"). The dip rests on the inside lining of the mouth.
• Snus is the Swedish word for snuff. Because Snus contains less moisture and salt than snuff, less saliva is produced and the user does not have to spit. It is placed beneath the upper lip and kept there for a few minutes to several hours.

Smokeless tobacco delivers a high dose of nicotine. 8-10 dips or chews of smokeless tobacco contain the same amount of nicotine as 30-40 cigarettes. Over time, smokeless tobacco users may become addicted and will have to use more chew or snuff to get the same buzz. Quitting smokeless tobacco is just as hard as quitting smoking.

The tobacco that is used today is very different from the tobacco used in the past. Today, smokeless tobacco contains over 3,000 added chemicals, 28 of which are known to cause cancer. Smokeless tobacco contains the same chemicals as paint stripper, white ant poison, and battery fluid. Smokeless tobacco also contains lead. Lead is a poisonous metal that can cause stomach pains, and blood and brain disorders when used over a long time.

How does it affect your health?

There are many health consequences associated with using smokeless tobacco:

• People who use smokeless tobacco lose the ability to taste and smell.
• Users are more likely to develop tooth and gum disease, including bad breath, stained teeth, cavities, and tooth loss.
• White, leathery sores can develop at the place where tobacco is held in the mouth. The longer someone uses smokeless tobacco, the more likely it is that he or she will get sores. These sores can develop into cancer of the mouth, the lip, tongue, or cheek.
• The use of smokeless tobacco increases your blood pressure, contributes to high cholesterol and the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels, and it increases the risk of getting blood clots. These combined can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Are you a smokeless tobacco user?

Check for early warning signs of health problems!

Smokeless tobacco users are 50 per cent more likely than non users to develop cancers of the mouth, cheeks, and gums as well as cardiovascular disease. If you use smokeless tobacco, it is important to check your mouth often for warning signs of health problems. Look closely at places where you hold the tobacco. See your doctor or dentist right away if you have:

• A red or white patch that doesn't go away
  
• A sore that bleeds easily and doesn't heal
• Soreness or swelling that doesn't go away
• A lump or thickening anywhere in your mouth or neck
• Trouble chewing, swallowing, or moving your tongue or jaw.

Don't wait until you experience pain because it is rarely an early symptom of cancer of the mouth (unfortunately, the pain comes later). For this reason, see your dentist or doctor for a mouth check every 3 months, even if you don't see any sores or have any pain. Chances for a cure are best if mouth cancer is found early.

Are you thinking about quitting smokeless tobacco?

According to several studies, over 50 per cent of current smokeless tobacco users would like to quit. Quitting smokeless tobacco is a lot like quitting smoking. If you want to quit, here are a few tips on how you can be successful:

1. Decide to quit. Keep in mind your reasons for quitting. Make a list of the reasons why and put the list where you can look at it often. This can be a powerful reminder, and keep you focused on quitting.
2. Set a quit date. Make a plan for quitting. Set your quit date 2 to 3 weeks ahead and use that time to stock up on things like sugarless gum, mints, veggies, crossword puzzles, etc. to distract you when you get an urge to chew.
3. Talk to a health professional. It is a good idea to get your mouth examined by a health professional. You may also want to ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs), such as the patch or nicotine gum. A health professional can help you decide whether Nicotine Replacement Therapy is right for you
4. Learn what your triggers are. Like cigarette smoking, using smokeless tobacco becomes associated with certain situations, activities, or feelings. People may use smokeless tobacco when they are with friends, want to relax, or while at work. These situations may then trigger urges or cravings.
   
   Even after quitting, former users may find it hard not to think about or use smokeless tobacco when they find themselves in these situations again. For example, some people started using smokeless tobacco in bingo halls when smoking was no longer permitted there. Being at a bingo hall may now trigger a strong craving for smokeless tobacco for the user who is trying to quit.
5. Start new routines. You may have many routines that you follow when using smokeless tobacco. To quit, you will need to break the link between each routine and the use of smokeless tobacco. Here are some tips:
   
   • Cut back on the number of dips per day
   • Practice using a substitute for smokeless tobacco like gum, veggies, etc. when you get a craving
   • Pay attention to the times and places when you experience cravings, and practise finding other things to do during those times like going for a walk, or playing a game of solitaire.
   • Exercise and drink lots of water.
6. Get support. Making a big change requires a lot of work. It is easier to make changes and overcome an addiction when you have someone who can help you get through the cravings, distract you, and cheer you on for every step you make towards quitting. Ask someone you trust to help you through the difficult