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There are actually three types of smokeless tobacco:
- Chew: leafy tobacco sold in pouches. Users keep the chew between the cheek and gums for several hours at a time.
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- Plug: chew tobacco pressed into a brick.
- Snuf: a powdered, moist form of tobacco sold in tins. Users put the snuff between the lower lip or cheek and the gum. It can be sniffed and is sometimes called "dipping".
Many people think using smokeless tobacco is safer than smoking. However, just because there is no smoke does not mean it is safe.
A person who uses 8 to 10 dips or chews a day receives the same amount of nicotine as a heavy smoker who smokes 30 to 40 cigarettes a day.
Smokeless tobacco is made from a mixture of tobacco, nicotine, sweeteners, abrasives, salts and chemicals. It contains over 3,000 chemicals including about 28 known cancer causing substances.
Smokeless tobacco affects the cardiovascular system and may be associated with heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. Long-term effects include cancer of the mouth, lip, tongue, gums, and throat. You are also more likely to develop cavities, tooth loss and gum disease.
Last updated March 2010
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