Chewing Tobacco

• Approximately 20% of high school boys and 2% of high school girls use chewing tobacco on a regular basis. Over half began the habit before their thirteenth birthday.
• Chewing tobacco use is most common among white males who live in rural areas. Peer pressure is the most common reason for beginning smokeless tobacco use.
• Smokeless tobacco is a primary cause of mouth and throat cancer. Every year, about 8,000 Americans die from these diseases. In fact, only about half of people who are diagnosed with mouth or throat cancer will survive more than five years.

Chewing Tobacco Myths

Although most people are well aware of the dangers of cigarettes, there are still many myths surrounding the use of smokeless tobacco.

• Chewing tobacco, also known as spit tobacco or smokeless tobacco, isn’t a safer alternative to cigarettes. In fact, holding an average-size dip of chew in your mouth for 30 minutes gives you as much nicotine as smoking three cigarettes. Using two cans of smokeless tobacco each week gives you as much nicotine as smoking 1 ½ packs of cigarettes per day.
• Chewing is common among professional athletes, but using this type of tobacco can actually have a negative affect on your athletic performance. Smokeless tobacco increases your heart rate and blood pressure. Although this can cause a buzz or rush, it places extra stress on your heart.
• Good dental care can’t counteract the effects of tobacco use. You can brush and floss all you want, but the nicotine in smokeless tobacco will still cause tooth decay, gum disease, and stained teeth.

Quitting

Many addiction specialists say it’s more difficult to quit using spit tobacco than it is to quit smoking. This is because chewed tobacco puts more nicotine into your bloodstream than cigarettes. However, quitting your use of smokeless tobacco is the most important step you can take to begin a healthier lifestyle.

Two or three weeks before you want to quit, you might find it helpful to switch to a brand of smokeless tobacco that contains a lower dose of nicotine. For example, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research found that Hawken Wintergreen contains less nicotine than Kodiak Wintergreen. However, it’s not a good idea to switch to cigars or cigarettes during this time.

Once you’re ready to kick the habit for good, using a safe substitute can keep your mouth busy and help with cravings. Try one of the following:

• Beef jerky
• Shredded coconut
• Dried fruit
• Raisins
• Sunflower seeds
• Hard candy
• Sugarless gum

Although research indicates nicotine replacement therapies such as the nicotine patch are most effective in helping smokers overcome their addictions, these aids might be useful to you as well. Discuss your options with your healthcare provider.

If you’re trying to quit using chewing tobacco, don’t feel discouraged if you slip up. Overcoming your addiction will be a learning process. One or two mistakes do not equal failure!

Additional Information

To learn more about the dangers of chewing tobacco, check out these helpful websites:

• Chewing Tobacco: Not a Risk-Free Alternative to Cigarettes
• Spitting into the Wind: The Facts about Dip and Chew
• Smokeless Tobacco Use

If you’re ready to quit using smokeless tobacco, check out the following resources:

• I Quit! What to Do When You’re Sick of Smoking, Chewing, or Dipping
• Smokeless Tobacco: Tips on How to Stop
• Spit Tobacco: A Guide for Quitting