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Dipping tobacco (known more technically as American moist snuff) is a form of smokeless tobacco. It is commonly referred to as dip, and the act of using it as dipping. The term chewing tobacco is also often applied to this family of products, although this more correctly refers to a separate group of tobacco derivatives altogether.
Usage
Dip is commonly confused with chewing tobacco, when in fact, it is very different. A small clump of dip is 'pinched' out of the tin, and put inside the lower (or upper) lip, in front of the teeth/gums. This is a large contrast to the almost bubblegum method of chewing on chewing tobacco. While using dip, the pinch sits just behind one's lip, a spot where blood vessels are close to the skin and plentiful. The nicotine works its way into the user's blood vessels through the saliva naturally created in their mouth.
Some users periodically spit, and find it distasteful or unpleasant to swallow, while others have no need or desire to spit. Variations exist in where the tobacco is placed (front or side of mouth), and quantity used, which may account for some differences.
Difference between Canadian and US
Although the main brands are available in Canada, the tins are much smaller than in the U.S. (15 grams vs 34 grams, for Skoal), and many flavours do not arrive in the Canadian market until later (e.g. Skoal Peach, released in March 2006). Dipping tobacco is also much more expensive in Canada; in recent times the price of dip has gone up to more than $5.00 per can, and rolls are now more than $15.00.
Health Issues
It should be noted that dip, along with most tobacco products, has been traditionally identified in medicine as a cause of cancer. The risk of mouth cancer is significantly argued by some American public health professionals, as noted in several recent and past studies.* Cancer however is not experienced as a consequence in Sweden, where smokeless tobacco use is well-established. http://www.tobaccoprogram.org/pdf/TC12349.pdf
Smokeless tobacco contains nicotine, which is the primary addictive agent. Warning labels for smokeless tobacco sold in the U.S. include:
WARNING: This product may cause mouth cancer.
WARNING: This product may cause gum disease and tooth loss.
WARNING: This product is not a safe alternative to smoking.
http://tc.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprint/12/4/360.pdf The article "European Union policy on smokeless tobacco: a statement in favour of evidence based regulation for public health" In the "Risks to Users" section the article states "we are confident that the evidence base described above and elsewhere suggests that it is reasonable to formulate the overall relative risk as follows: on average Scandinavian or some American smokeless tobaccos are at least 90% less hazardous than cigarette smoking."
Snus is Swedish moist snuff which strictly measures and minimizes nitrosamine content.
Taxation and restriction of smoking is causing more smokeless tobacco use as "substitution". There is active public health debate regarding risk-reduction for smokers, and reconsideration of smokeless tobacco risks. "...there is a substantial body of informed and independent opinion that sees the value of harm reduction strategies based on smokeless tobacco." Action on Smoking & Health (ASH) http://www.ash.org.uk/html/regulation/html/eusmokeless.html
External links
- http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20051112-102753-2328r.htm Smokeout: Not as easy as ABC by Brad Rodu/Jeff Stier, November 13, 2005, commentary in Washington Times
- http://www.tobaccoprogram.org/pdf/TC12349.pdf Effect of smokeless tobacco (snus) on smoking and public health in Sweden, Oct. 2003
Brands
- Copenhagen (the original smokeless tobacco introduced in 1822)
- Skoal
- Happy Days (phased into the Skoal line and no longer produced)
- Skoal Bandits
- Kodiak
- Sequoia
- Rooster
- Longhorn (most inexpensive)
- Red Seal
- Husky
- Timberwolf
- Xtreme
- Chisholm (the newest U.S. entrant)
- Grizzly
- BC's
- Cougar
- Hawken
- Kayak
- WB
- Redwood
- Roster (seen in playboy)
See also
"Dipping tobacco"