Adverse effects of chewing tobacco

Many people believe, wrongly, that chewing tobacco is a safe alternative to smoking. However this is hardly the case as the body suffers from multiple adverse health effects of tobacco. Recent studies have shown that chewing tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking tobacco.

What are the dangers associated with chewing tobacco?

Like cigarettes, smokeless tobacco contains nicotine, which is an addictive chemical. When a person attempts to eliminate their nicotine addiction, the body experiences intense withdrawal effects and cravings for nicotine, making the quitting process much more challenging. There are numerous detrimental health effects related to chewing tobacco, which are outlined below.

• Chewing tobacco is highly addictive. In the duration of a half hour chew, the average smokeless tobacco user ingests an amount of nicotine which is equivalent to the amount in 4 cigarettes. It would take nearly 60 cigarettes to equal the amount of nicotine in a single can of chewing tobacco.
• Many users find it necessary to chew while they sleep because they have become entirely dependent on the product.
• Chewing tobacco, also called smokeless toba cco or snuff, contains over 25 carcinogens or cancer causing agents.
• Chewing tobacco increases the risk of oral cancers, throat and pharynx cancers. Oral cancers include those of the lips, mouth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Many times these cancers develop as unsightly tumors that need to be surgically removed. Quite often whole pieces of the jaw and cheek need to be removed as well, leaving the smokeless tobacco user with a severe facial disfigurement.
• In one study, as many as 91% of oral and throat cancer patients used smokeless tobacco.
• The oral cancer risk associated with those that use chewing tobacco is approximately 50 times higher than that of the non tobacco users.
• Nearly 90% of oral tumors are caused by smokeless chewing tobacco.
• o Symptoms of oral cancers include sores that fail to heal, sores that bleed easily, patches which are a whitish color, the formation of a lump or thickening in the mouth, difficulty chewing or swallowing food or feeling a sens ation like something is stuck in the throat.
• Chewing tobacco users may develop a condition called Leukoplakia. Leukoplakia is a condition which results from continued irritation of the gums, tongue, and the insides of the cheeks. This disease is usually identified by the appearance of thick, whitish patches. Although Leukoplakia isn't painful, the patches may be sensitive to the touch or aggravated by certain foods. Many patches of leukoplakia show signs of precancerous cells and many cancerous tumors appear near areas of leukoplakia.
• Users of chewing tobacco are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular diseases account for nearly 40% of all deaths annually. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, raises blood pressure and reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood stream, all of which have an effect on the heart and can contribute to cardiovascular disease.
• Smokeless tobacco increase the risk and severity of gum and tooth disease. The constant presence of to bacco eats the gum away from the root of the tooth, leaving the tooth much more susceptible to cavities. Additionally, to mask the bitter taste of tobacco, many manufacturers add sugar and other artificial ingredients. The constant presence of sugar weakens the tooth enamel resulting in cavities. The receding gum line also weakens the stability of the tooth, resulting in lose teeth which eventually fall out.
• Chewing tobacco permanently discolors teeth and users suffer from halitosis, constant bad breath.

What is being done to prevent smokeless tobacco use?

The fight against tobacco products has been mainly directed at elementary school children. There are numerous government and nonprofit agencies working to get the facts about tobacco out there and into the minds of children before they are tempted to try any tobacco products. Many of these agencies use the school system to educate children and parents about the dangers associated with tobacco products. They use technique s specifically designed for children, such as plays, speakers, coloring books and activties which focus on the dangerous aspects of tobacco use as well as by providing children with healthy alternatives to tobacco use, such as exercise.

These same agencies also offer tobacco cessation programs to help those who currently use tobacco.. These programs are designed to inform tobacco users about the devastating health effects of tobacco in addition to providing support and assistance. Many of these programs are offered free of charge as an attempt to reduce of overall health care costs and improve the quality of life for everyone. While it may be difficult to overcome the addiction to chewing tobacco, it is one the best things a user can do to improve their health and improve their quality of life.

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