Smokeless Tobacco Research Paper

Smokeless Was Never Harmless “The more you chew, the more lip you lose.” -Anonymous. The American Cancer Society (ACS) shares that spit or smokeless tobacco is a less lethal, but still unsafe, alternative to smoking. No form of smokeless tobacco is a safe substitute for cigarettes. Still, tobacco companies often market these products as alternatives to smoking in places where smoking is not allowed (Smokeless). Many uniformed consumers of smokeless tobacco, including my boyfriend seem to believe the media hype and tobacco companies that smokeless tobacco is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. However, research shows that three out of four daily users of snuff and chewing tobacco have pre-cancerous lesions in the mouth. This essay will provide …show more content…
Firstly, smokeless tobacco affects people’s relationships. For example, my boyfriend has experienced two pre-cancerous scares already. He has been chewing for going on five of his 19 years now, and I personally worry about his health more than he does. Having a loved one with such an addiction is scary, because in the future he could develop mouth cancer, and experience expensive dental repair. It is very important to me that he stops chewing. We have had fights about him chewing and he has even said, “You’re the reason I chew.” In a jokingly matter I understand that I am a handful, but would he rather me be under his skin, or have cancer and die at a young age? To sum up my soap box, smokeless tobacco affects not only your health, but your loved ones’ emotional health. Secondly, smokeless tobacco has short term and long term side effects. For instance, ACS reports research shows users who use smokeless tobacco have high rates of pre-cancerous sores in their mouth. These sores may be painless at first, but as time goes on and the nicotine settles into your mouth, the sores become permanent and painful. Bad breath is one of the minimal results in smokeless tobacco usage, but just like anything else, that bad breath can one day be more severe. Thus, long term or short term effects, smokeless tobacco is bad for you. Thirdly, some tobacco users believe smokeless tobacco will help you quit smoking. In fact, ACS tells …show more content…
Firstly, nicotine has a lingering affect. Furthermore, The National Cancer Institute (NCI) points out that smokeless tobacco contains nicotine which is highly addictive. For “dippers” the nicotine from smokeless tobacco is absorbed into the bloodstream after the product is removed from the mouth. Thus, nicotine lingers in the bloodstream longer in smokeless tobacco users (Smokeless). Secondly, smokeless tobacco can affect your even more parts of your body. For example, when using smokeless tobacco, you are increasing your risk of heart attacks and strokes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and when pregnant there is an increased risk of early delivery or stillbirth. Hence, smokeless tobacco could kill you. Thirdly, there are many types of smokeless tobacco but none of them are safe. ACS notes chewing or spit tobacco is flavored loose leaves, plugs, or twists of tobacco that are placed between the check and gums or teeth. Snuff, which comes in cans or pouches and sold moist or dry is finely ground up and flavoring is added. Hence, no matter the type, flavor, or nicotine level, smokeless tobacco is still extremely unsafe. For all these reasons, there are still many clueless consumers of smokeless tobacco out there, and they need to be educated. In conclusion, smokeless tobacco is certainly not safe. In this essay, I illustrated numerous reasons as to why smokeless tobacco is disgusting,