U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedelinePlus
español

Printer-friendly version E-mail this page to a friend
Photograph of tobacco plants
  • Related Topics

  • Go Local

    • Services and providers for Smokeless Tobacco in the U.S.
  • National Institutes of Health

  • Languages

Also called: Chewing tobacco, Dip, Oral tobacco, Snuff, Spit tobacco

Many people who chew tobacco or dip snuff think it's safer than smoking. But you don't have to smoke tobacco for it to be dangerous. Chewing or dipping carries risks like

  • Cancer of the mouth
  • Decay of exposed tooth roots
  • Pulling away of the gums from the teeth
  • White patches or red sores in the mouth that can turn to cancer

Recent research shows the dangers of smokeless tobacco may go beyond the mouth. It might also play a role in other cancers, heart disease and stroke.

Smokeless tobacco contains more nicotine than cigarettes. Nicotine is a highly additive drug that makes it hard to stop using tobacco once you start. Having a quit date and a quitting plan can help you stop successfully.

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Start Here
Basics Learn More Multimedia & Cool Tools
  • No links available
Research Reference Shelf For You