Smokeless tobacco products are not a safe replacement for smoking. These products have significant health risks. All tobacco products contain the highly addictive drug called nicotine. Smokeless tobacco products generally deliver more nicotine than cigarettes. The use of these products can lead to nicotine addiction and dependence. Youth who use smokeless tobacco also are more likely to become cigarette smokers.

Smokeless tobacco contains more than 25 cancer-causing compounds, including arsenic and formaldehyde. People who use these products have an increased risk of developing cancers of the mouth and throat.

Smokeless tobacco use also is strongly associated with the formation of skin lesions in the mouth. These include leukoplakia (lu-ko-pla-kee-uh), which are white patches that can turn into cancer over time, and erythroplakia (e-rith-ro-pla-kee-uh), which are red patches that have a high potential for becoming cancerous.

Smokeless tobacco also is strongly associated with gum recession. Gum recession not only is unsightly; it increases one’s risk of getting cavities on the tooth roots and can make teeth sensitive.