smokeless tobacco

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

Smokeless tobacco refers to tobacco products that are not smoked but are either chewed or placed between the cheek and gum. This category includes products like snuff, chewing tobacco, and snus. Historically, chewing tobacco was prevalent in the United States, seen as a convenient alternative to pipe smoking.123

While not smoked, smokeless tobacco is still toxic and addictive, primarily due to its nicotine content. The use of smokeless tobacco is a significant health concern in some regions. It is associated with various health problems, including an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly head and neck cancers, as well as heart disease.4563

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Cancer
Smokeless tobacco users, meanwhile, repeatedly expose the oral mucosa to toxins and have a substantially increased risk of getting head and neck cancers, though the risk depends in part on the period of consumption and the nature of the product. For example, Swedish smokeless tobacco…
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Smokeless tobacco users, meanwhile, repeatedly expose the oral mucosa to toxins and have a substantially increased risk of getting head and neck cancers, though the risk depends in part on the period of consumption and the nature of the product. For example, Swedish smokeless tobacco…
Read More