Essay On Smokeless Tobacco

Smokeless tobacco is just as bad as other forms of tobacco, if not way worse. Smokeless tobacco can go by many names because it is just tobacco that is chewed, sucked on, or sniffed instead of smoked. Some of the names include: dip and chew, snuff, chewing tobacco, or spit tobacco. Regardless of the different names it is called, smokeless tobacco still still carries the same drastic health risks as other tobaccos. People who are not educated may have been led to believe that using smokeless tobacco is okay because it is "less harmful than smoked tobacco."
This statement/mindset is a terrible mistake because it's false when you look at the evidence. Chewing tobacco still contains nicotine, the addictive and one of the many harmful chemicals in cigarettes. The magnitude of nicotine exposure between cigarettes and smokeless tobacco is similar at a surface level. However, unlike smoking tobacco, which is usually used periodically during the day, smokeless tobacco is often used constantly, exposing users to much higher levels of nicotine spaced constantly throughout …show more content…
Take sugars for example. Sugars are quite often added to smokeless tobacco products to enrich its flavor. The sugars sit in the oral cavity and are used by bacteria within the mouth to create an acidic solution, leading to tooth decay. Smokeless tobacco also contains grit and sand, which erodes the enamel, causing sensitivity and may require treatment. Chewing tobacco leaves irritating juices on the gums, cheeks, and lips. The juices also irritate gum tissue, causing it to recede (possibly permanently) from the teeth, exposing the roots of the teeth, increasing the risk for tooth decay. The roots may become sensitive to hot and cold or other irritants, meaning discomfort may accompany eating or drinking. The supporting bone structure can also be deteriorated over time, leading to loosened and lost teeth. Smokeless tobacco juices can