Frequently Asked Questions

What’s So Bad About Smokeless Tobacco? It’s Not as Bad as Smoking Right?

Smokeless Tobacco FactsIf you do an internet search you’ll find articles that tell you how “safe” smokeless tobacco is… that couldn’t be further from the truth. They’ll tell you that the real danger to smoking is the “smoke” itself and the tobacco just isn’t dangerous – LIES!!!

Smokeless tobacco contains at least 3,000 chemicals, including many that you wouldn’t want in your body. Like all forms of tobacco, dip & chew contain nicotine, an addictive drug that gets you hooked on tobacco. Holding one pinch of smokeless tobacco in your mouth for 30 minutes delivers as much nicotine as 3-4 cigarettes.

In addition, at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals have been identified in smokeless tobacco, including:

  • nitrosamines – the most powerful cancer-causing agents in smokeless tobacco.
  • Smokeless tobacco contains from 20 to 43,000 times more nitrosamines than other consumer products, such as beer or bacon!
  • polonium 210 – a radioactive form of the element polonium
  • formaldehyde – a chemical found in the fluid used to preserve dead bodies
  • cadmium – a metallic element used in batteries
  • arsenic – a poisonous element used in insecticides

The use of smokeless tobacco can cause:

  • cancers of the mouth, pharynx (throat), and esophagus (the tube that carries food to the stomach)
  • shrinking of the gums around your teeth
  • cracked lips, white spots, sores, and bleeding in the mouth
  • increased risk for heart disease and stroke

Still think that smokeless tobacco isn’t dangerous?

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DDD
DDD
4 years ago

Mr Joshua, I would like to know where you get your sources if you don’t mind sharing that, because I have looked into scientific studies and papers written by American universities and they do concur with the information provided in this post.
I seriously would like to research your sources.

Joshua
Joshua
4 years ago

These people need to educate themselves. First smokeless tobacco doesn’t not contain 3000 chemicals. Second it is not radioactive ( sorry Spider-Man ). Third It can be dangerous every plant that is a night shade can be. Fourth why don’t you look at the basic composition of tobacco compared to tomato leaves, an un ripe egg plant, or belladonna (all of which are on menus in high end restaurants) and you will see tobacco is the least dangerous out of all of those.

Josh Herrle
Josh Herrle
4 years ago
Reply to  Joshua

Does not (not doesn’t not) sorry

JAYP
JAYP
4 years ago
Reply to  Joshua

If it doesn’t have 3,000 chemicals, how many does it have? Are you a chemist? A tobacco salesman? A Phillip Morris spokesperson? An addict, who is absolutely TERRIFIED to face their own addiction?
Enlighten us with your knowledge, Lord Tobacco Expert. Talking about Eggplant and Tomato leaves doesn’t add much creditable to your lousy stance.
Please, help us see your light, Admiral Asshat.

J
J
3 years ago
Reply to  Joshua

Regardless, I don’t smoke or suck on tomato leaves, un-ripe eggplant, OR belladonna. Different parts of the same plant can be dangerous, while other parts can be perfectly fine. In addition to this, tomato leaves are only dangerous in a large amount, and as an instant thing. Tobaccos have less instant, and more time based issues, such as cancer, making it much more dangerous, which is compounded by addictions! None of the things you listed are at all 1/1000th as dangerous as tobacco is, especially in context.

There really is no excuse but addiction for tobacco. As an ex-smoker and vaper, it’s just not worth it.

DDD
DDD
4 years ago

Smokeless tobacco is addictive that is a fact, whether it produces cancer or not, that is debatable according to some. By listing the substances contained in those cans I think it merely presents information.
Obtaining information is part of the research.
We all come here looking for information and mostly because folks want to quit.
As some people point out in here that there are numerous other factors that could contribute to the development of certain cancers. That is true also.
The way I see it is like this, investigate and learn about the contents in the product you are consuming and if you think they are safe to use then continue.
There might be some truth in the way people write some of this information in trying to persuade others from doing these products, but I think it is because we are just looking out for each other. If you didn’t want to quit, then you wouldn’t be here.

Bottom line is, there are carcinogen elements in this product and whether they are responsible for the development of Cancer or not is still not known completely, in my case I would not want to play against those odds.

You all make your choice.

Ken
Ken
4 years ago
Reply to  DDD

Smokeless tobacco is addictive… so is coffee…. Nicotine is about like caffeine….

DDD
DDD
4 years ago
Reply to  Ken

You are correct sir, and maybe I wasn’t as addicted to caffeine as I was to Nicotine, but when I stopped drinking coffee, my symptoms and cravings were not as bad. It has been 7 years since I drank any coffee or sodas. It has been 362 days since I dipped.
My personal choice is not to dip, but everyone has a choice. If anyone asks for my advise I give it, and the best advise I can give is DO NOT start. Take it or leave it, very simple.

Ken
Ken
4 years ago

HOT COFFEE AND HOT TEA OR DRINKS CAN CAUSE MOUTH AND THROAT CANCER, we all know this so why hasn’t the government put that on cups? THEY SHOULD!

JAYP
JAYP
4 years ago
Reply to  Ken

? here we go again, another tobacco apologist.
I’d love to see the number of people contracting throat cancer vs smokeless tobacco users.
I’d bet the larger number, is by smokeless tobacco users.
I’m thinking the government should limit your web surfing.

ken
ken
4 years ago
Reply to  JAYP

I bet you would like the government to control everything that is why you believe the way you do. WAKE UP and THINK for yourself. I am not telling you to dip.
Do your research then decide for yourself. But don’t try and persuade every one to do what you do. That is the beauty of America.

Hot tea may raise esophageal cancer risk – Medical News Today

Oral sex does not directly cause throat cancer, but it can spread HPV. HPV can cause pre-cancerous changes in cells that may lead to throat cancer later on. An estimated 35 percent of cancers are infected with HPV.Feb 7, 2018

JAYP
JAYP
4 years ago
Reply to  ken

Can we infer, you were dropped on your head a lot as an infant? How the hell did you come up with that lame-ass assessment? I want more government control because I strongly believe smokeless tobacco causes more cancer than hot coffee and tea? Do you live near power lines?
Why don’t you do some research yourself, start with looking in the attic of your home for bat shit droppings, because your reasoning (and assessments of others) is suspect.
And don’t tell me I’m being the persuasive one, you’re on here, barking at the Moon about “Hot coffee and tea” causing throat cancer, over smokeless tobacco. C’mon MAN!
News Flash: you are on a “quit dipping” web page, Captain Dipshit!
Just because you’re out offering oral sex to people and haven’t yet contracted throat cancer, Also, doesn’t prove anything.
Sounds like you’re the type who likes the last word, so feel free to fire off more stupidity, I won’t be responding anymore.
Have a great weekend sir.

Ken
Ken
4 years ago
Reply to  JAYP

You are right. I should not have posted on a Stop Dipping Website.
The other stuff I wont entertain most of it. I have been married over 25 years probably longer than you have been alive, so I’m not going out offering oral sex to anyone. You have a good day. Remember when the government bus comes make sure to get on.

QuitForGood!!!
QuitForGood!!!
4 years ago

American Cancer Society

Smokeless tobacco causes cancer
Overall, people who dip or chew get about the same amount of nicotine as regular smokers. They also get at least 30 chemicals that are known to cause cancer. The most harmful cancer-causing substances in smokeless tobacco are tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). TSNA levels vary by product, but the higher the level the greater the cancer risk.

Cancers linked to the use of smokeless tobacco include:

Mouth, tongue, cheek, and gum cancer
Cancer in the esophagus
Pancreatic cancer

WebMD

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — While cigarette smoking is a known killer, many people don’t realize that smokeless tobacco is linked to more than a quarter of a million deaths worldwide each year, British researchers report.

The University of York team said its analysis of data from 113 countries and other sources is the first study to assess the international impact of smokeless tobacco on adults.

“It is possible that these figures are underestimated, and future studies may reveal that the impact is even bigger. We need a global effort to try and address and control smokeless tobacco,” lead researcher Kamran Siddiqi, a senior lecturer in epidemiology and public health at York, said in a university news release.

Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

Smokeless tobacco is associated with many health problems. Using smokeless tobacco:

Can lead to nicotine addiction1,2
Causes cancer of the mouth, esophagus (the passage that connects the throat to the stomach), and pancreas (a gland that helps with digestion and maintaining proper blood sugar levels)1,2
Is associated with diseases of the mouth1,3
Can increase risks for early delivery and stillbirth when used during pregnancy2
Can cause nicotine poisoning in children4
May increase the risk for death from heart disease and stroke1,3

Ken
Ken
5 years ago

Sorry but you are 100% WRONG! As Chad says… FDA finds minimal to zero cancer deaths caused by dip in latest study.previous studies were over eaxagerated.do some research.
Friend of mines wife got throat cancer the other day. Never smoked, she does drink, alcohol and oral sex cause more mouth cancer than dipping ever will. If you want to quit fine, but don’t spread false claims… just because it sounds like dipping should cause cancer.

JAYP
JAYP
5 years ago
Reply to  Ken

Ken, I’d like to know why the FDA still requires tobacco companies to print “can cause mouth cancer” on their labels, is this is “100% wrong”.
Why not remove the requirement? Why not?
Because there IS a chance you can get cancer from smokeless tobacco…that’s “why”.
Sure, maybe it was over exaggerated a bit, but to say “100% Wrong”?
You & Chad now look like 100%, complete asses.
Happy Holidays…Asshats.

Chad
Chad
5 years ago

FDA finds minimal to zero cancer deaths caused by dip in latest study.previous studies were over eaxagerated.do some research

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