According to 2009 data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than three percent of people age 12 to 18 were current users of smokeless tobacco. As if three percent were not enough, another six percent of individuals age 18 to 25 were current users of smokeless tobacco. Even though you may not hear a lot about it, smokeless tobacco is becoming a big problem among young people, with about 1.5 million new users every year.

Al Stabilito, American Cancer Society (ACS) public relations director for the local area, said there are many terms to describe exactly what smokeless tobacco consists of. Products such as oral chewing snuff, spit, and spitless tobacco are all considered smokeless tobacco.

“The problem is that all forms of oral tobacco have chemicals known to cause cancer,” Stabilito said. “These products can cause cancer of the mouth, pancreas, and esophagus. Oral and smokeless tobacco also cause many other health problems, such as gum disease, destruction of the bone sockets around the teeth, and tooth loss. They cause bad breath and stained teeth, too.”

Stabilito said that although smokeless tobacco is less lethal than cigarettes, using any form of tobacco puts you at serious health risks.

“Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking,” he said. “The bottom line: All forms of tobacco can be deadly.”

There are basically two forms of smokeless tobacco. There is snuff and there is chewing tobacco. There are also newer forms being sold as well. Snuff is finely ground tobacco packaged in cans or pouches. It is sold as moist or dry. Moist snuff is used by placing a pinch or dip between the lower lip or cheek and gum. The nicotine in the snuff is absorbed through the tissues of the mouth. Moist snuff is also available in small, teabag-like pouches or sachets that can be placed between the cheek and gum. These are designed to be both “smoke-free” and “spit-free” and are marketed as a discreet way to use tobacco.

Chewing tobacco is sold as long strands of loose leaves, plugs, or twists of tobacco. Pieces, commonly called plugs, wads, or chew, are chewed or placed between the cheek and gum or teeth. The nicotine in the piece of chewing tobacco is absorbed through the mouth tissues like snuff, but the user spits out the brown juice – saliva that soaks through the tobacco.

“Other smokeless products can be bought in the United States as well,” Stabilito said. “Some products that are available or are being tested include lozenges, tabs, tablets, strips, and sticks. Regardless of the way it’s packaged, smokeless tobacco is not a safe substitute for smoking. There are many harmful health effects including: mouth, tongue, throat, esophagus, stomach and pancreatic cancer; increased risk of heart disease and stroke; receding gums; addiction to nicotine and leukoplakia (white sores in the mouth that can become cancer).”

Study after study has found high rates of leukoplakia at the place in the mouth where users place their “chew.” Many daily users of moist snuff and chewing tobacco have non-cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions in the mouth.

“The longer you use oral tobacco, the more likely you are to have leukoplakia,” Stabilito said. “Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative for smoking either. Results from a large American Cancer Society study showed that men who switched from cigarettes to snuff or chewing tobacco had higher death rates from heart disease, stroke, cancer and all causes of death combined than former smokers who stopped using all tobacco products.”

One issue with smokeless tobacco is the fact that many famous athletes use snuff and chewing tobacco. As role models, this can influence youth to be more open to and accepting of smokeless tobacco.

“In 2003, more than one in three major league baseball players used smokeless tobacco, mainly moist snuff,” Stabilito said. “Athletes are a large marketing source for smokeless tobacco, and are often seen on TV using it during a game. This can be an influence to young people.”

Something that is more influential on smokeless tobacco than role models is the smoking bans many states are enforcing.

“In response to these bans, companies have been marketing smokeless tobacco products more heavily,” Stabilito said. “Smokeless tobacco products are being advertised as alternatives to cigarettes in places where smoking is not allowed. When smokers use these products as substitutes instead of trying to quit tobacco, it continues to support the tobacco industry.”

Smokeless tobacco is a source of nicotine that is very addictive. Young people should be advised against trying it at all. If you think smokeless tobacco is a good alternative to smoking, you’re wrong. The dangers are just as prevalent and quitting can be just as difficult.