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Quitting Smokeless Tobacco. |
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| Introduction
Smokeless tobacco is available in two different forms: snuff
and chewing tobacco. Snuff,
a fine grain tobacco, comes in cans or pouches. Chewing tobacco comes in pouches in the form of long strands of tobacco that, when used, are commonly called "plugs", "wads" or "chew". In India, Pan masala contains tobacco. There are several brands of 'Ghutka' that contain tobacco. They are some times referred to as 'Khara killi'. What Are the Health Effects of Smokeless Tobacco? Some people believe that using smokeless tobacco is a safe alternative to smoking. his is not true. Smokeless tobacco can have the following bad effects on your health: |
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Cancer of the mouth and pharynx. | ||
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Addiction to nicotine. | ||
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Leukoplakia (white sores in the mouth that can lead to cancer). | ||
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Gum recession, or peeling back of gums. | ||
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Bone loss around the teeth. | ||
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Abrasion of teeth. | ||
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Bad breath. | ||
| The most
serious health effect of smokeless tobacco is an increased risk
of cancer of the mouth and pharynx. Leukoplakia
is a white sore or patch in the mouth that can become cancerous.
Studies have consistently found high rates of leukoplakia in
smokeless tobacco users at the site of tobacco placement. One
study found that 73% of daily users (two-thirds using moist
snuff and one-third using chewing tobacco) had non-cancerous
or pre-cancerous lesions (sores) in the mouth. The longer someone
has used smokeless tobacco, the more likely they are to have
leukoplakia. Studies have shown that about 7% to 27% of regular
smokeless tobacco users have gum recession and bone loss around
the teeth. The surface of the tooth root may be exposed where
gums have drawn back. Tobacco can irritate or destroy the tissue.
Smokeless tobacco may also play a role in cardiovascular disease
and high blood pressure. Nicotine enters the users' bloodstream
through the lining of the mouth and/or the gastrointestinal
tract. Nicotine causes the heart to beat faster and blood pressure
to go up. Is Smokeless Tobacco Addictive? Nicotine is a drug found naturally in tobacco. It is highly addictive, as addictive as heroin and cocaine. The body becomes physically and psychologically dependent on nicotine, and studies have shown that users must overcome both of these to be successful at quitting and staying quit. Smokeless tobacco delivers a high dose of nicotine. An average dose for snuff is 3.6 mg, for chewing tobacco, 4.6 mg-compared to 1.8 mg for cigarettes. Blood levels of nicotine throughout the day are similar among smokers and those who use smokeless tobacco. Stopping smokeless tobacco use causes symptoms of nicotine withdrawal that are like those that happen when smokers quit. In a study of Swedish snuff users, many of the participants said they were addicted to snuff, and they reported having as much trouble giving up smokeless tobacco as did cigarette smokers trying to quit smoking. Evidence also suggests that when regular snuff users can't use snuff, they will smoke cigarettes to satisfy their need for nicotine. Nicotine Withdrawal When smokeless tobacco users try to cut back or quit, they experience nicotine withdrawal. Withdrawal is both physical and psychological. Physically, the body is reacting to the absence of the drug nicotine. Psychologically, the user is faced with giving up a habit, which is a major change in behavior. Both must be dealt with if quitting is to be successful. Withdrawal symptoms can include any of the following: depression, feelings of frustration and anger, irritability, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, headache, tiredness, and increased appetite. These uncomfortable feelings lead the individual to again start using tobacco to boost nicotine levels back to a level at which no symptoms occur. Withdrawal symptoms can last for a few days to several weeks. How to cope with withdrawal is covered in the section on how to quit. |
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