5 key facts you must know Addiction to nicotine, Risk of cancer and more

If you are someone who always thinks you are not at health risks because you do not smoke the tobacco, and instead chew it, sniff it, or consume it in any other way, you may be wrong. Smokeless tobacco products like nicotine gums and other chewing or sniffing materials can have health risks, just as smoking does.

According to a Rutgers study, American smokers mistakenly think that using snus, a type of moist snuff smokeless tobacco product, is as dangerous as smoking tobacco. Smokeless tobacco consumption is widespread all across the world. An addiction to nicotine in smokeless tobacco can also lead to smoking cigarettes and addiction of the same. Here are 5 facts about the health risks of smokeless tobacco that you must consider before you decide to consume it, and must quit in case you are an active consumer.

Addiction to nicotine
smokeless tobacco is considered harmless and therefore, many young people indulge in its consumption. However, not only is it harmful otherwise, but it can also lead to nicotine addiction and cause young people to start smoking, which brings with it its own set of health risks.


Risk of cancer
Smokeless tobacco products also contain cancer-causing substances. The most harmful of these chemicals are nitrosamines, and the amount of these differs from product to product. Other radioactive elements or harmful metals can also be cancer-causing.

Oral diseases
The most common way to consume smokeless tobacco is to chew on it, because of which you may be more prone to oral diseases. Smokeless tobacco can cause leukoplakia – white and grey patches on the inside of the mouth that can lead to mouth cancer, gum diseases, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

Reproductive problems
Smokeless problems can cause the risk of early delivery, stillbirth if you are pregnant. Nicotine in smokeless tobacco products can also affect the baby's brain development. It is recommended that pregnant women do not use any tobacco products. It can also cause nicotine poisoning in young children.


Heart diseases
Heart problems like heart attacks and strokes can be triggered due to smokeless tobacco products. Tobacco use affects the heart and heart muscles adversely, can lead to high blood pressure and increase the risk of heart diseases.