Smokeless tobacco is not safe

Submitted by Kelly Galler on Wed, 2010-09-15 08:24

Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes! Says the American Heart Association

Have you heard of: snuff, gutkha, gul, chimo, mawa, nass, pan masala, toombak, or plain, old chewing tobacco? I hadn't heard of most of those names. But I guess those are the names that smokeless tobacco is also called.

Smokeless tobacco, sounds better to some smokers. At least they are cutting out the bad effects of smoke, right? Wrong. Still not so good. These are not good alternatives to smoking cigarettes.

Reproted by Heart Wire this month (Michael O'Riordan):
The products, according to the new policy statement, are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, particularly an increased risk of fatal MI and fatal stroke. While there is some evidence suggesting the overall cardiovascular risks are lower with smokeless tobacco than with cigarette smoking, use of these products might complicate or reduce the chance for survival after MI or stroke, according to the AHA.

The other problems with these products include increased cancer risk and oral disease. And it is still addictive to the user!

Bottom line: there is no good alternative to smoking. What you need to do is decide that quiting is the right thing to do and the healthy thing for you. Then, pick a date, make a plan, and QUIT smoking all together. Your heart and lungs will thank you for this change almost immediately.

For the full article from Heart wire: www.theHeart.org

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