Chewing Tobacco: Health Risks

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Chewing Tobacco: Health Risks

Updated April 7, 2011
2 minute read

Chewing tobacco is very harmful to health and can cause serious health problems. Many people think chewing tobacco is less harmful than smoking cigarettes but this is not true. Although chewing tobacco might do less damage than smoking, the long term effects of chewing tobacco are serious. The reason chewing tobacco can do serious damage is due to the 30 cancer causing substances. Let us first learn about some of the different types of smokeless tobacco that should not be used.

Different Types of Smokeless Tobacco

1) Chewing Tobacco

This type of chewing tobacco consists of sweetened and packaged tobacco leaves in pouches. The tobacco is placed between the cheek and gum for continuous chewing for hours. Those who are addicted to chewing tobacco may choose to swallow the tobacco juices.

2) Snuff

This type of chewing tobacco is grounded, shredded and can be available in dry or moist form. It is packaged in tins or tea bag pouches and is placed between the lower lip and gum. The dry forms of snuff can be inhaled through the nose and the tobacco juices are usually spat out. To find out more the different types of chewing tobacco, please visit ‘Chewing Tobacco’.

Health Risks of Chewing Tobacco

1) Addiction

Similar to smoking, smokeless tobacco contains nicotine which can cause addiction. The surprising fact is that your body may absorb more nicotine from chewing tobacco than it would have done from smoking. Similar to smoking, avoiding smokeless tobacco afterwards can result in intense craving, increased appetite and depression. On the other hand, long term usage will cause you to become more addicted to the tobacco and will eventually make you crave for more until you cannot stop increasing your tobacco intake to calm the desire.

2) Cancer

Chewing tobacco increases the risk of different types of cancer. Most of the cancer will occur near the mouth such as the throat, cheek, gum, mouth, lip and the tongue. You may have seen disturbing images of a victim who suffers from these cancers and you are of no exception. You are also likely to suffer from these cancers which will eventually lead you to a disfigured face.

3) Cavities

Chewing tobacco constantly can cause tooth decay. The reason this occurs is because tobacco contains too much sugar. On the other hand, chewing tobacco can cause a reduction in teeth enamel which increases risk of cavities.

Conclusion

Overall, chewing tobacco is seriously dangerous to health and will eventually lead your life to misery just like how smoking does the same.

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