Is there any benefit to chewing tobacco over cigarettes?

Absolutely not: Chewing tabacco is worse than smoking cigarettes. Unlike a filtered cigarette, chewing tabacco deposits tar and nicotine directly onto the tissues. Add to this the fact that tobacco is usually held in the mouth longer and you've got a dangerous combination.

Yes : All forms of tobacco have the potential to cause cellular changes that may become malignant. Not advocating chewing tobacco or smoking cigarettes, but if one has to use tobacco, chewing may be the lesser evil. It is easier to diagnose and treat early signs of damage from chewing tobacco than lung damage. You can also chew in different areas of the mouth to decrease the risks of damage.