Apart from murder, and Copenhagen snuff, snuff is any powder prepared for sniffing. Of course, the main use of the term is for powdered tobacco.
Tobacco snuff is made by selecting tobacco leaf (and also sometimes tobacco stalk, as in e.g. Irish High Dry Toast) and disintegrating it into a coarse powder. It is next ground in a manual or mechanical mill, and then sieved. Various essential oils may then be added for flavoring, after which it is stored in airtight containers to allow the flavor to permeate uniformly.
Way back, individuals used to have their own little snuff mills, grinding their snuff fresh from a tobacco plug (called a "carotte")
Copenhagen "snuff" is very coarse milled tobacco, not sniffed but put under the lower lip
Dry snuff is fine, almost powdery tobacco and is placed in the nose and sniffed.
What are the health risks of using smokeless tobacco?
Smokeless tobacco is not a safe substitute for smoking cigarettes. Nicotine and other harmful chemicals found in tobacco are NOT removed by spitting; they mix with saliva which, after contact with tissues of the mouth and throat, is absorbed through the oral mucous into the bloodstream. It can cause cancer and a number of non-cancerous oral conditions and can lead to nicotine addiction and dependence. Oral cancer (especially in the cheeks, gums and throat) may be 50 times more likely in people who use smokeless tobacco. Oral cancer is a particularly deadly form of cancer, killing 30% to 50% of its victims within 5 years.
Leukoplakia (leathery white patches inside the mouth) are a result of direct contact with and continued irritation by tobacco juice. Just a few months of dipping or chewing is often enough to cause leukoplakia on the gum or cheek where the tobacco is held. Approximately 5% of diagnosed cases of leukoplakia develop into oral cancer.
Dental problems such as receding gums, tooth decay, loss of teeth, worn spots on the enamel, discolored teeth and bad breath are common among users of smokeless tobacco. They also experience a decreased sense of taste and smell.
What are warning signs to look for?
If you use smokeless tobacco, you should see a medical provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- A sore in the mouth that bleeds easily and doesn't heal
- A lump or thickening anywhere in the mouth or neck
- Any soreness or swelling in your mouth that doesn't go away
- A red or white patch that doesn't go away
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving your tongue or jaw
Quitting
There are a variety of techniques for quitting smokeless tobacco. Whether you choose to quit "cold turkey" or go slowly by "nicotine fading," you can decrease any discomfort you may feel as you quit.
Follow these tips:
- Choose a time to quit. Don't pick a time when there's a high level of stress in your life; you could be setting yourself up for failure. For example, don't try to quit during exams.
- Think about why you started using smokeless tobacco in the first place. Is it a way of coping with stress? Is it a habit in certain situations? Do you use it when you're bored? Do certain times of the day trigger an urge to use?
- When the urge to use strikes you, interrupt it. Develop strategies for dealing with triggers, urges and social pressure. Substitute other things for tobacco, such as sugarless gum, snacks or deep breathing if you chew to relieve stress. You can modify your behavior by using techniques such as relaxation, exercise, cognitive awareness and stress management.
- Ask friends, family or teammates for support. They can help you get beyond triggers and celebrate your successes along the way.
- The physical desire for nicotine is not something you can "unlearn" but you have several options for handling withdrawal.