Smokeless Tobacco Have you tried or are you considering using smokeless tobacco? As a Warfighter, you probably know someone who has used smokeless tobacco. Though smoking cigarettes is still prevalent in the military, smokeless tobacco has gained popularity. Service members use these products for different reasons. Maybe you are trying to quit smoking cigarettes. Maybe you use smokeless tobacco to stay more alert, especially in areas where smoking is not allowed. Oftentimes, Warfighters like how accessible and discreet they are, as well. Remember, to only use tobacco products in designated tobacco use areas (DTUAs). What Is Smokeless Tobacco? Smokeless tobacco includes tobacco products that you can chew, suck and sniff. Chewing TobaccoChewing tobacco is sold as loose leaves, braided leaves (i.e., twist) and compressed leaves (i.e., plug). It is commonly referred to as chew, spitting tobacco and spit. These products also have flavored options to make them more appealing. SnuffSnuff is dry or moist finely ground tobacco packed in tins or pouches. Using snuff is also known as dipping. Dry snuff can be snorted, as well. Flavor options are available. SnusSnus is a type of moist snuff. It’s different than snuff because it is heated briefly at high temperatures. This kills bacteria but may produce cancer-causing chemicals. Dissolvable TobaccoDissolvable tobacco is a powder pressed into shapes like tablets, sticks and strips. Some are flavored and can even look like candy. How Addictive Is Smokeless Tobacco? Smokeless tobacco products contain nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco. People who use smokeless tobacco and people who smoke cigarettes have similar levels of nicotine in their blood. It’s been found that nicotine actually stays in the blood longer when using smokeless tobacco than when smoking cigarettes. Is Smokeless Tobacco Harmful? Yes. There is no safe level of cigarette and smokeless tobacco use. These products are often marketed as safer than cigarettes because they are not linked to lung cancer at such high rates. However, smokeless tobacco products are not harmless and contain at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals. There are many negative health effects that can occur with smokeless tobacco use, all of which impact your readiness for duty. Cancer Mouth, tongue, cheek, gum, throat, esophageal and pancreatic cancers are the most common forms of cancer linked to smokeless tobacco. Tooth decay, mouth sores and gum disease Most smokeless tobacco contains added sugars, which can lead to a build-up of plaque and tartar. Nicotine addiction Physical and psychological factors make it hard to stop using these products, even with a desire to quit. Heart issues Risk of heart disease, heart failure, stroke, hypertension and heart attack increase with use, typically due to inflammation and insulin resistance. Pregnancy complications Using these products during pregnancy increases the risk of early delivery, low birth weight and stillbirth. Who Is Most at Risk? Your risk for nicotine use, including smokeless tobacco, is higher if you are: Below 25 years old Male An enlisted rank Consuming large amounts of alcohol At increased STI risk As a Warfighter, there are many factors that can lead to interest and engagement in tobacco use. High stress levels, inconsistent sleep schedules, peer pressure, easy access, perception of tobacco as a stress reliever and boredom over deployment or long training stints are all reasons Warfighters may reach for tobacco products. What If I’m Trying to Quit Smoking? Smokeless tobacco products are not approved by the FDA as a smoking cessation method. Consider nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) instead, which safely helps relieve physical withdrawal symptoms for those who have quit smoking. FDA-approved forms of NRT include nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers and nasal sprays. There are also FDA-approved pills including Varenicline (Chantix) and Bupropion (Zyban). To explore these options, click here. If you are looking to quit tobacco products all together, check out the Warfighter Wellness Thinking About Quitting Tobacco and How to Build a Quit Plan webpages. Additional ResourcesSmokefree.gov - “DipfreeTXT”ReferencesAmerican Cancer Society. - “Health Risks of Smokeless Tobacco.”American Lung Association - “Health Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Products”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. - “Be Ready and Determined By Being Tobacco-Free”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Health Effects of Smokeless Tobacco”Mayo Clinic - “Smokeless Tobacco Products”Smokefree Vet - “Facts About Dipping and Chewing Tobacco.”YouCanQuit2 - “Smokeless Tobacco: Not a Quick Fix”
