Question 1

does swedish snus cause damage to the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Almost certainly: Snus, like any other tobacco product, can cause cancer.  Cancer's of the mouth and throat are most common but cancer of the digestive tract (stomach, pancreas) and possibly even the lung are also possible.  If you think about it, cancer is pretty extreme, so even before it would cause such devastation, it is going to be causing other, less severe troubles.

Question 2

why don't you advocate for swedish snus for smoking cessation and harm reduction? it is safer than smoking and other st. many papers have found this.

Accepted Answer

Politics: You're correct. Studies are divided as to whether swedes who use 'snus' have an increased cancer risk; i was surprised at the 2007 study showing no risk. The stuff is addictive and i'm not going to advocate for this. Although it's much safer to chew than to smoke, and I have told young people this, the politically correct answer is 'you should not use any tobacco.'.

Question 3

is smokeless tobacco or chewing tobacco bad for asthma?

Accepted Answer

No: For asthma, no. For cardiovascular diseases and oral cancer, yes. So if you do smoke and you have asthma switching from smoking to smokeless or chewing tobaccos is a step in the right direction. Still my goal would be to get you off tobacco completely. You may need the support of friends, family and people like you who want to quit but can't do it alone to achieve that goal.

Question 4

is snus a safe alternative to cigarettes? snus is being touted as a safe alternative to cigarettes.  studies cite low if non-existent rates of associated lung cancer, with a very mild uptick in pancreatic cancer - the studies were carried out in sweden, a

Accepted Answer

Snus : Snus is also known as swedish snuff and is a moist powder tobacco product originated from a variant of dry snuff in the early 19th century in sweden, consumed by placing it under the lip for extended periods of time.  While it has been touted as an alternative to smoking and traditional "chewing" tobacco, there are concerns regarding health risks associated with its use.  Although some say smokeless tobacco poses fewer health risks than cigarettes, they note that it has been linked to various types of cancer and warn against using any tobacco product.

There are contradictory studies on the risk for cancer and other health problems.   In a study from the karolinska institute in stockholm, sweden, published in the international journal of cancer in 2008 found a statistically significant increase in the incidence of the combined category of oral and pharyngeal cancer among daily users of snus (incidence rate ratio 3.1, 95% confidence interval 1.5-6.6) was found. Overall mortality was also slightly increased (hazard ratio 1.10, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.21).  In an earlier study published in lancet in 2007, snus use was independently associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer (relative risk for ever-users of snus 2.0; 95% ci 1.2-3.3, compared with never-users of any tobacco), but was unrelated to incidence of oral (0.8, 95% ci 0.4-1.7) and lung cancer (0.8, 0.5-1.3).  These differences may also lie in the variations of smokeless tobacco in the marketplace.  In a study from 2008, researchers found a large variation in the levels of some toxic compounds and carcinogens analyzed in american and swedish smokeless tobaccos.

Based on this and other studies, while smokeless tobaccos provide some protection against lung cancer, the overall health risks or benefits have not been clearly determined and the best advice is to avoid using any tobacco at all.

Question 5

does a snus right after strenght exercising ruin the muscle grow or something?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Tobacco products cause constriction of blood flow globally so would decrease the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscles when they most need it.

Question 6

im 17 i have tried snuss maybe 40 times maybe once a week. i have quit. am i likely to get cancer from that amount of  snus. should i be scared.

Accepted Answer

Be very afraid: Not of cancer, but that you will try it a 41st time and discover that you cannot quit. You will be enslaved to an unpleasant habit that gives a (quite small) risk of cancer and a 100% of of being a huge turn-off for at least one girl in your future. Don't do that. Be smart.

Question 7

20  male. i smoke fairly often, but not regularly. i do use snus. i spat blood today, pure red saliva. never happened before. should i be worried.

Accepted Answer

Yes: Blood in sputum or saliva is never normal.  At your age, it is unlikely (but not impossible) that it could represent something serious.  Stopping smoking and dipping (or chewing) is the single best thing you could do to turn your currently young life into a much older one.  See your health professional for an exam.

Question 8

does snus cause oral cancer?  is there anyway do have nicotine and it not cause health problems?

Accepted Answer

No and no: Sinusitis does not cause oral cancer. Nicotine (smoking or chewing) does cause health problems which you may or may not be aware of. Do not smoke and then you can worry less and lead a healthier life. See your physician for any medical problems and a dentist for regular check-ups including a six month oral cancer screening.

Question 9

i was partying last night and tried snus. now my lip is painful and red and the skin of lip look weird. is these changes permanent or dangerous.

Accepted Answer

No: This is an irritant reaction that will resolve in a day or two. Not recommended to continue as snus increases risk of mouth cancer.

Question 10

i have a round spots in my mouth that does not go through 15 days. i don't feel the pain, so it's not painful. but i feel its presence. i used snus.

Accepted Answer

See Your Dentist: More information is needed to help provide an answer. Are the round spots hard, soft, location on or in the jaw(s)/mouth. onset, change in size or appearance since onset, etc.?  A clinical evaluation with your dentist would offer you the best source for the diagnosis.

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Doctor answers about:

Swedish snus

A member asked:

Does swedish snus cause damage to the stomach?

A member asked:

Why don't you advocate for swedish snus for smoking cessation and harm reduction? it is safer than smoking and other st. many papers have found this.

A member asked:

Is smokeless tobacco or chewing tobacco bad for asthma?

A member asked:

Is snus a safe alternative to cigarettes? snus is being touted as a safe alternative to cigarettes. studies cite low if non-existent rates of associated lung cancer, with a very mild uptick in pancreatic cancer - the studies were carried out in sweden, a

A member asked:

Does a snus right after strenght exercising ruin the muscle grow or something?

A member asked:

Im 17 i have tried snuss maybe 40 times maybe once a week. i have quit. am i likely to get cancer from that amount of snus. should i be scared.

A member asked:

20 male. i smoke fairly often, but not regularly. i do use snus. i spat blood today, pure red saliva. never happened before. should i be worried.

A member asked:

Does snus cause oral cancer? is there anyway do have nicotine and it not cause health problems?

A member asked:

I was partying last night and tried snus. now my lip is painful and red and the skin of lip look weird. is these changes permanent or dangerous.

A member asked:

I have a round spots in my mouth that does not go through 15 days. i don't feel the pain, so it's not painful. but i feel its presence. i used snus.

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