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Study raises health concerns of smokeless tobacco (Circulation, the Journal of the American Heart Association)

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new study raises concerns about the negative health impact of smokeless tobacco use. Published in Circulation, the Journal of the American Heart Association, the study concluded:

  • “Smokeless tobacco product use may complicate or reduce the chance for survival after a MI or stroke. In addition, there is inadequate evidence to support the use of ST products as a smoking cessation strategy. Based on the findings reviewed in this statement, clinicians should continue to discourage use of all tobacco products and emphasize prevention of smoking initiation and smoking cessation as primary goals for tobacco control.”
  • “Smokeless tobacco product use is associated with an increased risk of some cancers and with oral disease, and it is addictive.”
  • Another concern is the “disturbing trend in the increase in smokeless tobacco product initiation and use among adolescent males.”

Based on their findings, the researchers conclude that clinicians should continue to discourage use of all tobacco products and emphasize the prevention of smoking initiation and smoking cessation as primary goals for tobacco control.