Dipping tobacco

Dipping tobacco (known more technically as American moist snuff) is a form of smokeless tobacco. It is commonly referred to as dip, and the act of using it as dipping. Individual dips are also known as lippers or fatties. The term chewing tobacco is also often applied to this family of products, although this more correctly refers to a separate group of tobacco derivatives altogether.

Usage

Dip is commonly confused with chewing tobacco, when in fact, it is very different. A small clump of dip is 'pinched' out of the tin, and put inside the lower lip, in front of the teeth/gums. This is a large contrast to the almost bubblegum method of chewing on chewing tobacco. While using dip, the pinch sits just behind one's lip, a spot where blood vessels are close to the skin and plentiful. The nicotine works its way into the user's blood vessels through the saliva naturally created in their mouth.

Most users spit out any saliva that has come in contact with the dip, as they find it nauseating if swallowed. However, some users do not spit (which is not recommended). Swallowing the saliva instead of spitting is commonly referred to as dry swallowing or "gutting it."

Difference between Canadian and US

Although the main brands are available in Canada, the tins are much smaller than in the U.S. (15 grams vs 32 grams, for Skoal), and many flavours do not arrive in the Canadian market until later (e.g. Skoal Peach, released in March 2006). Dipping tobacco is also much more expensive in Canada; in recent times the price of dip has gone up to more than $5.00 per can, and rolls are now more than $15.00.

Health Issues

It should be noted that dip, along with most tobacco products, has been identified as a cause of cancer. The risk of mouth cancer is significantly increased as noted in several recent and past studies.[1] This is perhaps due to the practice of holding the dip between the lips and gums for extended periods of time.

Smokeless tobacco contains nicotine, which is the primary addictive agent. Warning labels for smokeless tobacco sold in the U.S. include:

WARNING: This product may cause mouth cancer.

WARNING: This product may cause gum disease and tooth loss.

http://tc.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprint/12/4/360.pdf The article "European Union policy on smokeless tobacco: a statement in favour of evidence based regulation for public health" In the "Risks to Users" section the article states "we are confident that the evidence base described above and elsewhere suggests that it is reasonable to formulate the overall relative risk as follows: on average Scandinavian or some American smokeless tobaccos are at least 90% less hazardous than cigarette smoking."

Snus is Swedish moist snuff which strictly measures and minimizes nitrosamine content.

Taxation and restriction of smoking is causing more smokeless tobacco use as "substitution". There is active public health debate regarding risk-reduction for smokers, and reconsideration of smokeless tobacco risks. "...there is a substantial body of informed and independent opinion that sees the value of harm reduction strategies based on smokeless tobacco." [UK's Action on Smoking & Health (ASH)] http://www.ash.org.uk/html/regulation/html/eusmokeless.html

External links

• http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20051112-102753-2328r.htm Smokeout: Not as easy as ABC by Brad Rodu/Jeff Stier, November 13, 2005, commentary in Washington Times
• http://www.tobaccoprogram.org/pdf/TC12349.pdf Effect of smokeless tobacco (snus) on smoking and public health in Sweden, Oct. 2003

Brands

• Copenhagen (the original smokeless tobacco introduced in 1822)
• Skoal
• Happy Days (phased into the Skoal line and no longer produced)
• Skoal Bandits
• Kodiak
• Sequoia
• Rooster
• Longhorn (most inexpensive)
• Red Seal
• Husky
• Timberwolf
• Xtreme
• Chisholm (the newest U.S. entrant)
• Grizzly
• BC's
• Cougar
• Hawken
• Kayak
• WB
• Redwood
• Roster (saw it in playboy)

See also

• Snus
• dip snap