Smokeless tobacco (snuff and chewing tobacco) is reemerging as a popular form of tobacco, particularly among male adolescents. In different regions of the United States, from 8 to 36 percent of male high-school students are regular users. The use of smokeless tobacco has been shown to cause oral-pharyngeal cancer. The strongest link is with cancers of the cheek and gum. White mucosal lesions (leukoplakia) are found in 18 to 64 percent of users, often at the site where the tobacco was held. Other associations have been suggested for cancers of the esophagus, larynx, and pancreas. Nitrosamines, found in high concentrations in smokeless tobacco, most likely have a role in its carcinogenicity. Other health problems include periodontal disease, acute elevations of blood pressure, and dependence. In early 1986, after action at the state level, Congress enacted a federal law requiring health-warning labels on packages of smokeless tobacco and a ban on electronic advertising. Other regulatory measures under consideration include raising state and federal excise taxes, tightening controls on advertising, and prohibiting sales to minors. In view of the recent growth of this problem, policy makers are taking the opportunity to intervene with preventive measures to protect a new generation of tobacco users.
This article has been cited by other articles:
Nelson, D. E., Mowery, P., Tomar, S., Marcus, S., Giovino, G., Zhao, L.
(2006). Trends in Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Adults and Adolescents in the United States. Am. J. Public Health
96: 897-905
[Abstract][Full Text]
Henningfield, J. E., Fant, R. V., Buchhalter, A. R., Stitzer, M. L.
(2005). Pharmacotherapy for Nicotine Dependence. CA Cancer J Clin
55: 281-299
[Abstract][Full Text]
Walsh, M. M., Ellison, J. A.
(2005). Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence: The Role of the Dental Professional. J Dent Educ
69: 521-537
[Abstract][Full Text]
Henningfield, J E, Moolchan, E T, Zeller, M
(2003). Regulatory strategies to reduce tobacco addiction in youth. Tobacco Control
12: i14-24
[Abstract][Full Text]
D'Onofrio, C. N., Moskowitz, J. M., Braverman, M. T.
(2002). Curtailing Tobacco Use Among Youth: Evaluation of Project 4-Health. Health Educ Behav
29: 656-682
[Abstract]
Howard-Pitney, B., Winkleby, M. A.
(2002). Chewing Tobacco: Who Uses and Who Quits? Findings From NHANES III, 1988-1994. Am. J. Public Health
92: 250-256
[Abstract][Full Text]
HENNINGFIELD, J. E, FAGERSTROM, K. O
(2001). Swedish Match Company, Swedish snus and public health: a harm reduction experiment in progress?. Tobacco Control
10: 253-257
[Full Text]
JONES, R. B.
(2000). TOBACCO OR ORAL HEALTH: PAST PROGRESS, IMPENDING CHALLENGE. Journal of the American Dental Association
131: 1130-1136
[Abstract][Full Text]
Rubinstein, I., Gao, X.-P., Pakhlevaniants, S., Oda, D.
(1998). Smokeless tobacco-exposed oral keratinocytes increase macromolecular efflux from the in situ oral mucosa. Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.
274: R104-R111
[Abstract][Full Text]
Gao, X.-P., Suzuki, H., Olopade, C. O., Pakhlevaniants, S., Rubinstein, I.
(1997). Purified ACE attenuates smokeless tobacco-induced increase in macromolecular efflux from the oral mucosa. J. Appl. Physiol.
83: 74-81
[Abstract][Full Text]
Wallack, L., Corbett, K.
(1987). Alcohol, Tobacco and Marijuana Use among Youth: An Overview of Epidemiological, Program and Policy Trends. Health Educ Behav
14: 223-249
Previous
