Sometimes when young adults try smokeless tobacco for the first time … they’re lured by the flavors: wintergreen, berry, apple. Maybe they start with tobacco that has a milder taste. Unfortunately, that’s probably why tobacco companies make smokeless tobacco in flavors and with milder tastes. They want to get people hooked.

"New users of smokeless tobacco – attracted to the category for a variety of reasons – are most likely to begin with products that are milder tasting, more flavored, and/or easier to control in the mouth. After a period of time, there’s a natural progression of product switching to brands that are more full-bodied, less flavored, have more concentrated ‘tobacco taste’ than the entry brand," the document reads.

Those more “full-bodied” brands can deliver a big nicotine punch.

Within 20 minutes of chewing tobacco or absorbing it through your cheeks, gums, or skin, nicotine can make your heart rate and blood pressure go up and make you less hungry; all of which can stress your heart.

Health effects can range from bad breath and stained teeth, to tissue breaking down and mouth sores, to severe health problems like cancer.

The 2005 Nebraska Youth Risk Behavior Survey of high school age youth, shows that 8.7% have used chewing tobacco or snuff within the past 30 days. And, the 2006 Nebraska Middle School Youth Tobacco Survey says that 13% of 6^th to 8^th graders have chewed tobacco at least once.

College and university student athletes report using smokeless tobacco up to five times a day. In a growing trend, women tobacco users place chewing tobacco between their toes to hide their habit.

The use of smokeless tobacco among youth is a major health concern.

Studies show that using chewing tobacco can lead to cigarette smoking, alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use.

Now you know the risks. So, take control and don’t start using smokeless – or any kind of – tobacco.

Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

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