Smokeless tobacco use. A dangerous nicotine habit.

Much attention has been focused on cigarette smoking and its health implications. Numerous campaigns have been launched to help people stop smoking or prevent them from starting. While smoking has been receiving this attention, use of smokeless tobacco has been increasing at an alarming rate. Smokeless tobacco exposes the user to all the nicotine effects of cigarette smoking. Oropharyngeal cancer and erosive effects on the oral structures are known hazards, but the long-term total-body effects have yet to be determined. Physicians need to identify patients who use smokeless tobacco so that intervention strategies can be employed. Preventive techniques, especially those aimed at children, may be the most effective means of controlling this health threat.