spit tobacco


dipping tobacco

A form of smokeless tobacco which is sold as a ground product, in contrast to chewing tobacco in which the tobacco leaves are shredded. The use of dipping tobacco is called dipping, or packing a lip.
Health effects
Cancer; adverse cardiovascular effects are possible, but unproven; addiction.

tobacco

(to-ba`k'o) [Sp. tabaco] A plant Nicotiana tabacum) whose leaves are cultivated, dried, and adulterated for use in smoking, chewing, and snuffing. The use of tobacco creates more preventable disability and death than the use of any other commercially available product. The tobacco leaf contains nicotine, a highly addictive alkaloid, and numerous other chemicals. During its combustion, it releases thousands of hydrocarbons into the oral, digestive, and respiratory tract of the smoker. These substances have been linked to coronary and peripheral arterial disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, peptic ulcer disease, and cancers of the lungs, oral cavity, and gastrointestinal tract. See: risk factor; passive smoking

smokeless tobacco

Tobacco used in the form of snuff, tobacco powder, or chewing tobacco. These products irritate the oral mucosa and gingiva, and their continued use results in an increased risk of cancer of the mouth, larynx, throat, and esophagus. Smokeless tobacco contains nicotine and is addictive. Its use is greatest among adolescents, esp. males. An estimated 1.4% to 8.8% of adults in the U.S. use smokeless tobacco products. See: snuff (2)

spit tobacco

See: smokeless tobacco