Use of smokeless tobacco has increased, especially among teenagers. Many people believe that using smokeless tobacco is safer than smoking it. These users claim it is safer because they are not taking in smoke or putting smoke into the air. In addition, advertisements using famous people to promote smokeless tobacco have contributed to an increase in its use, especially among teenagers. The picture of a cowboy or an athlete using smokeless tobacco gives the impression that chewing and dipping contribute to one's masculinity. They do not. Instead, they contribute to one's ill health. The fact that many teens who use smokeless tobacco started chewing tobacco or dipping snuff when they were between the ages of 13 and 15 means that they can develop serious health problems early in life. Some of those health problems include mouth sores that can turn into cancer of the lip, mouth, or throat; damage to teeth and gums; and damage to the digestive system.

Although smoke does not get into the lungs, smokeless tobacco presents other health problems, some of which can be serious, even life threatening.

The nicotine in smokeless tobacco is as addictive as the nicotine in cigarettes. Once a person starts chewing and dipping, it can become very difficult to stop.

People who use smokeless tobacco have more saliva. Although the chewers usually spit out the saliva, they do swallow some without realizing it. This introduces tar and other chemicals into the digestive and urinary system. Tobacco juices also contain chemicals that may delay healing of wounds.

Tobacco and its by-products are extremely irritating to the sensitive tissues in the mouth. Irritation from direct contact with tobacco juices is responsible for leukoplakia (picture on the left), thickened, white, leathery-appearing spots on the inside of a smokeless tobacco user's mouth. These areas can develop into cancer of the mouth.

Smokeless tobacco users also tend to show greater tooth wear than nonusers. The gums tend to be pushed away from the teeth where the tobacco is held. The roots of the teeth become exposed and more susceptible to decay. Dip and snuff products may cause people to lose their teeth while they are still young. Tobacco products decrease the user's ability to smell and taste, especially salty and sweet foods.