Some kids believe that spit tobacco (chew, snuff, dip) is safe. The truth is that spit tobacco contains more nicotine than cigarettes do. It also contains over 3,000 chemicals, including 28 known cancer-causing chemicals. Formaldehyde (preservative of body tissues), arsenic (rat poison), nickel and cadmium. They’re all there and more.
Some athletes use spit tobacco because they think it gives them a performance boost. This is not true. In fact, nicotine constricts the blood vessels, which can slow reaction time and cause dizziness. This is a disadvantage if you’re playing sports or working in a dangerous environment.
Spit tobacco does a lot of damage to the inside of your mouth. Listen to this: leukoplakia (white leathery patches that can develop into cancer), worn and yellow teeth, lost teeth, cavities, receding gums, gum disease and bad breath.
Worse yet, spit tobacco causes cancer of the mouth, throat and voice box. The earlier you start and the longer you chew, the more risk you have for cancer. On average, half of all people who get oral cancer die within five years.
Quick facts
- The amount of nicotine absorbed through spit tobacco is three to four times more than with a cigarette.
- Using one can of snuff per day, you’ll get as much nicotine as if you had smoked 60 cigarettes.
- If you dribble spit tobacco on your clothes, you’ll never get the stain out.
- Spit tobacco causes white mouth sores in 40% to 50% of users. These sores can become cancerous.
- Spit tobacco yellows, scratches and wears your teeth, gives you cavities, eats away at your gums and gives you bad breath.
- Spit tobacco contains over 3,000 chemicals, including 28 known to cause cancer.
- Spit tobacco causes cancer of the mouth, throat and voice box.
- Spit tobacco is more popular in the prairies, including Alberta, than it is in the rest of Canada.
AADAC Youth Services can be found in communities and schools across Alberta.
For more information, contact your local AADAC office or call the AADAC Smokers’ Help Line at 1-866-33AADAC. We are available to give you information and support.
