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Adult male holding a tin of smokeless tobacco.

Smokeless Tobacco

Smokeless tobacco products like chewing tobacco can be just as harmful as smoking and e-cigarettes. Don't put yourself at risk of developing serious health problems.
Quit. Don't dip. 

USERS IN SOUTH DAKOTA

Did you know that smokeless tobacco use in South Dakota is higher than the national average? Smokeless tobacco is just as dangerous for your health as cigarettes and other tobacco products. The only way to protect yourself from these consequences is to kick the habit for good.

These smokeless tobacco products include:

  • Plug
  • Snuff
  • Snus

 

  • Spit
  • Chew
  • Chaw
  • Pinch
  • Dip
  • Dissolvables

Smokeless Tobacco

CONSIDER THE RISKS

Take a look at what makes smokeless tobacco so dangerous. It's not harmless!

ORAL HEALTH RISKS

Between 60-78 percent of chewing tobacco users suffer from oral lesions — leukoplakia. These lesions are white patches that appear on cheeks, gums and tongue. They may also convert to oral cancer.

The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that of nearly 54,000 Americans to get oral oropharyngeal cancer this year, 9,750 will die. That adds up to one person every hour.

Other oral health problems caused by smokeless tobacco: 

  • Irritated or receding gums
  • High blood pressure
  • Cracked or bleeding lips
  • Excessive spitting
  • Red or white patches in the mouth

 

APPEAL OF VARIETY & FLAVORS

Unlike cigarettes, tobacco companies can add sweeteners and flavors to smokeless tobacco products, making it seem more appealing to young people. These companies regularly come out with new varieties of their products with increased health risks.

 

ADDICTION

Though many think that smokeless tobacco is safer than cigarettes or less addictive, it can actually be just as dangerous.

Since it contains nicotine, users are still exposed to the harms of nicotine addiction. Users often partake in the product constantly, making them highly dependent on the drug.


Did you know?  
Dipping 8-10 times a day exposes the user to as much nicotine as smoking 30-40 cigarettes. That's more than two to three times the amount of nicotine.


 

TARGETING RURAL POPULATIONS

Ads typically depict rugged scenes with hunters, cowboys, racers and more, which are meant to appeal to rural populations and make them more susceptible to addiction. In South Dakota, spit tobacco use is highest among:
  • Young men
  • Native Americans
  • Farmers and ranchers
  • Rodeo/cowboys (men and women)
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Did you know? The biggest risk factor for oral cancer is tobacco.
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