Leading the Way

The chemicals in tobacco irritate the tissues of the mouth. White, leathery patches may form near where the tobacco is placed between the teeth and the gum. It is called leukoplakia and can lead to cancer of the mouth. The risk increases the longer you chew.

Other consequences of chewing and spitting tobacco include:
r Cracking and bleeding lips and gums
r Receding gums, which can eventually make your teeth fall out
r Increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and irregular heartbeats, all leading to a greater risk of heart attacks and brain damage from a stroke
r Cancer
Oral cancer means cancer of the mouth and can happen in the lips, the tongue, the floor of the mouth, the roof of the mouth, the cheeks, or gums. It's been medically proven that long-time use of chewing tobacco can lead to cancer.

Pictures Courtesy the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: "Spitting into the Wind: The Facts About Dip and Chew" (accessed 12/04)

Cancer from chewing tobacco doesn't just occur in the mouth. Some of the cancer-causing agents in the tobacco can get into the lining of your stomach, your esophagus, and into your bladder.

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