Project Action Spit Tobacco
What is "Spit Tobacco" or as the Tobacco industry likes to call it "Smokeless Tobacco" ?
The two main types of "Spit Tobacco" in the United States, are chewing tobacco and snuff. Chewing tobacco comes in the form of Loose Leaf, plug, twist. Snuff is finely ground tobacco that can be dry, moist, or in sachets (bag like pouches). Although, Sniffing or inhaling into the nose can use some forms of snuff, most smokeless tobacco users place the product in the cheek or in between their gum and cheek. Users then suck on the tobacco and spit out the tobacco juices, which is why "smokeless tobacco" is often referred to as spit or spitting tobacco.
Loose-leaf Chewing Tobacco: stripped and processed cigar-type tobacco leaves that are loosely packed to form small strips. It is often sold in a foil-lined pouch and usually treated with sugar or licorice.
Plug Chewing Tobacco: consists of small, oblong blocks of semi-soft chewing tobacco that often contain sweeteners and other flavoring agents.
Nasal Snuff: is a fine cut powder that is sniffed into the nostrils. Flavorings may be added during the fermentation, and perfumes may be added after grinding.
Oral (moist) Snuff: is a finely cut, processed tobacco, which the user places between the cheek and gum that releases nicotine, which in turn is absorbed by the membranes of the mouth.
 Loose Leaf Chewing Tobacco |
 Finely Ground Snuff |
What's In Spit Tobacco?
Spit Tobacco has been found to Contain 28 Carcinogens (cancer causing agents)
As well as many other potentially harmful ingredients including: 30 different metals, Polonium 210(radio active particles that turn into cancer causing radon), N-Nitrosamines (A carcinogen), of which only 5 ppb (parts per billion) are allowed in consumer products like beer and bacon. Per the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) findings, spit tobacco contains from 20 to 43,000 times more of these Nitrosamines.
The Effects of Spit Tobacco:
 Oral Lession |
 Gum Recession |
- Addiction:
All tobacco including spit tobacco contains nicotine. The amount of nicotine absorbed from smokeless tobacco is 3 to 4 times the amount delivered by a cigarette. Nicotine is absorbed more slowly from smokeless tobacco than from cigarettes, but more nicotine per dose is absorbed from smokeless tobacco than from cigarettes. Also, the nicotine stays in the bloodstream for a longer time. - Cancer:
The risk of cancer of the cheek and gums may increase nearly 50 fold among long term spit tobacco users.Spit tobacco users also increase their risk for cancer of the: Lip, Tongue, Floor and roof of the mouth, Pharynx, Larynx, Esophagus, Stomach, Pancreas - Leukoplakia:
When you hold tobacco in one place in your mouth, your mouth becomes irritated by the tobacco juice. This causes a white, leathery like patch to form, and this is called leukoplakia. These patches can be different in size, shape, and appearance. They are also considered pre-cancerous. Studies have found that 60 to 78 percent of spit tobacco users have oral lesions. - Heart disease:
The constant flow of nicotine into your body causes many side effects including: increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and sometimes irregular heart beats (this leads to a greater risk of heart attacks and strokes). Nicotine in the body also causes constricted blood vessels which can slow down reaction time and cause dizziness, not a good move if you play Sports. - Gum and tooth Disease and Decay:
Spit tobacco permanently discolors teeth. Chewing tobacco causes halitosis. It’s direct and repeated contact with the gums causes them to recede, which can cause your teeth to fall out. Spit tobacco, when mixed with the plaque on your teeth, forms acid that eats away at tooth enamel, causes cavities, and chronic painful sores. One study found that 60% of spit tobacco users had gingival recession. - Loss of sense of taste and smell:
Chewing tobacco lessens a person's sense of taste and ability to smell. As a result, users tend to eat more salty and sweet foods, both of which are harmful if consumed in excess.