Determination of nicotine, pH, and moisture content of six U.S. commercial moist snuff products--Florida, January-February 1999.

The use of smokeless tobacco (moist snuff and chewing tobacco) can cause oral cancer and precancerous oral lesions (leukoplakia) and is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and nicotine addiction. Despite these adverse effects, smokeless tobacco is used commonly in the United States by young people, especially male high school students. Officials in Florida requested CDC assistance in analyzing six moist snuff products to measure three factors that affect their nicotine dose: pH, nicotine content, and moisture content. This report summarizes the results of the analysis, which indicate that the pH, amount of nicotine, and moisture vary widely among brands.