Health Bulletin – Smokeless Tobacco: Health Effects & Hazards

Smokeless tobacco is associated with many health problems. Using smokeless tobacco:

• Can lead to nicotine addiction.
   
• Causes cancer of the mouth, esophagus (the passage that connects the throat to the stomach), and pancreas (a gland that helps with digestion and maintaining proper blood sugar levels).
   
• Is associated with diseases of the mouth.
   
• Can increase risks for early delivery and stillbirth when used during pregnancy.
   
• Can cause nicotine poisoning in children.
   
• May increase the risk for death from heart disease and stroke.
   
• Many smokeless tobacco products contain cancer-causing chemicals.

        –  The most harmful chemicals are tobacco-specific nitrosamines, which form
           during the growing, curing, fermenting, and aging of tobacco. The amount
           of these chemicals varies by product.

        –  The higher the levels of these chemicals, the greater the risk for cancer.

        –  Other chemicals found in tobacco can also cause cancer. These include:

1. A radioactive element (polonium-210) found in tobacco fertilizer
2. Chemicals formed when tobacco is cured with heat (polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons—also known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)
3. Harmful metals (arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, nickel, mercury)

Smokeless Tobacco and Oral Disease 

• Smokeless tobacco can cause white or gray patches inside the mouth (leukoplakia) that can lead to cancer.
   
• Smokeless tobacco can cause gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

Mouth Cancer — White Patches
Mouth cancer signs may include bleeding, swelling, white patches or redness in your mouth.
 
Other Risks: 

• Using smokeless tobacco increases the risk for death from heart disease and stroke.
• Smokeless tobacco can cause nicotine poisoning in children.

What is the link between tobacco and oral cancer?
 
Tobacco use is known as a major risk factor for oral and many other cancers. All tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff, contain the following: 

• Poisonous substances (toxins)
• Cancer-causing agents (carcinogens)
• Nicotine, an addictive substance

Each tobacco product is linked to an increased risk for specific cancers:

Smokeless tobacco causes cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas

Say ‘NO’ to Pariki, Mava, Gutkha and other Tobacco substances BEFORE it is too late.

CHB – Your Health is our Priority

Written by:  Syed Orujul Hassan, 5^th Year Medical Student – Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam.


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CENTRAL HEALTH BOARD OF AFRICA FEDERATION