Smokeless Tobacco Vs. Smoking

Tobacco. An extremely popular product all over the world, and very controversial at that.

First off, to clear the air, I do use tobacco. I'm not going to pretend like I don't, as I believe honesty in the policy. I don't smoke, but I use smokeless tobacco. People always say "Oh don't use tobacco, it's bad for you!". I know that, I'm well aware. Every tin of Skoal I buy has a warning halfway across the tin. I acknowledge it is bad, so that's that. Now, something that gets me extremely hyped up: smokeless tobacco vs. smoking.

All tobacco causes cancer, yes. They all contain a lot of toxins, which I won't deny. None of it is healthy. The thing is, the actual way you use different tobacco products. Which is worse, smokless tobacco or cigarettes?

Smokeless tobacco is very bad for the dental hygiene. It can stain the teeth, cause gum disease, and gum cancer. It contains salt crystals that cut your gum open to release the toxins into your bloodstream. Bad? Yes. But as for smoking...

Smoking can also cause dental issues and cancers of the mouth. It may not be as risky since it doesn't actually stay in the mouth for a prolonged amount of time, but it is possible nontheless. BUT, where it gets bad. It can also cause throat cancer and lung cancer. On top of that, it can also cause heart disease.

Okay so my view on all of this, is using smokeless tobacco is not nearly as bad as smoking. Out of all the things smokeless tobacco can do to the mouth, they can all pretty much be repaired. You can replace teeth, cure gum disease, and usually remove tumors in the mouth or jaw.


Smoking, on the other had, is horrible. First off, it is terrible for the respiratory system. No matter what, it will cause shortness of breathe and random coughing/wheezing. It can also cause Asthma, Bronchitis, and Pneumonia. All very dangerous, especially for older people. Also, smokeless tobacco can only cause one type of cancer. Smoking can cause three. You can get gum cancer, lung cancer, or throat cancer (as stated above). This is the golden ticket to the answer.

If you get lung cancer, you are pretty much done. It can rarely be cured, and even if it is, it must be caught extremely early. For smokeless tobacco, you can replace teeth. You can get an implant if you need any surgery on the jaw or gum. But can you replace a lung? No way.


The damage left from dipping or chewing can be repaired fairly easily. Even if you need to have your jaw removed, you can get an implant. You cannot get a lung implant or transplant. It's impossible. Also, with the throat cancer, it is also very hard to cure. For people who get throat cancer, they will most likely end up getting a tracheodomy (or trech for short). It is a hole they must cut in your throat so you can breathe and talk after removing throat cancer. It is a permenant hole that is extremely visable. Also, when you speak, you don't have your old voice. It sounds almost like a robot.


None of the things in the past two paragraphs can be caused from dipping or chewing. Smoking is a much riskier thing to do. Overall, smoking is much worse that using smokeless tobacco in every way, shape, and form.