Dipping tobacco

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Four different cans (or tins) of dipping tobacco (from bottom left, clockwise): Skoal straight, Skoal long cut mint, Copenhagen straight, and Copenhagen long cut.

A can of Copenhagen brand American dipping tobacco.

Dipping tobacco, traditionally referred to as moist snuff, is a type of finely ground or shredded, moistened smokeless tobacco product. It is commonly and idiomatically known by various terms – most often as dip and sometimes rub or chew. The act of using it is called dipping, packing or more specifically packing a lip, packing a lipper, and less commonly packing an upper decker when one uses their upper lip to use the tobacco. Dip is colloquially called "chew" or "snuff", among other terms; because of this, it is sometimes confused with other tobacco products – for example chewing tobacco or dry snuff, respectively.

Dipping tobacco was initially introduced as a variation of the historically Swedish oral tobacco, snus, that was brought to the United States by Swedish immigrants in the early 19th century. In modern times, it is still largely relegated to North America, where moist snuff is most popular among the blue-collar working class in parts of Canada and especially the Southern and Midwestern United States.

Traditionally speaking, dipping tobacco is used in a manner similar or nearly identical to snus, in which instead of literally chewing on tobacco, a small clump, or quid (or in some cases a tobacco-filled pouch), of the shredded product is "pinched" out of the can and placed between the lip and the gum. (However, unlike snus, which is most often placed between the upper lip and gum, dip users or "dippers" tend to use the lower. Dipping in the upper lip is unusual, though when done, it is colloquially termed an "upper decker".) The dip rests on the inside lining of the mouth usually for a period depending upon the user's preference, usually 10 to 30 minutes. Nicotine is absorbed buccally and/or sublingually by the inferior or superior labial arteries.

Unlike snus, dip often causes the user to produce excess saliva during the act of dipping. This is typically expectorated onto the ground or in a container, because swallowing can cause irritation to the esophagus, and induce nausea and vomiting. However, long-time users can swallow the tobacco-saliva with no ill effects. This is also called "gutting" the snuff. Smokeless tobacco is sometimes used in the workplace by employees, especially if the employer does not provide many cigarette breaks, or, if the employee is constantly using both hands during work (which doesn't provide opportunities for cigarette smoking). Smokeless tobacco is popular in many industrial areas where there is a safety risk in having an open flame such as oil rigs or refineries.

Etymology and terminology

Dipping tobacco was first popularized and marketed as moist snuff in the 1800s. The term "snuff" in this context is an English cognate of the aforementioned "snus", from the Swedish. Dipping tobacco's Scandinavian roots impart a noticeable legacy on modern American brands such as Copenhagen (the capital city of Denmark) and Skoal (referring to the interlinguistic term skål, which in Norwegian, Danish and Swedish roughly translates to "cheers" or implies a toast.

"Dip" or "dipping tobacco" was first known as such in the 20th century, the phrase referring to the way in which the product is most often essentially dipped into the lower lip. However many brands still advertise themselves as "moist snuff", simply "snuff" or sometimes vaguely as "smokeless tobacco".

The cultural aspects of dipping tobacco are noticeable in the myriad of expressions used to describe dipping tobacco and other actions or situations associated with it.

Cut sizes

The difference between cut sizes are the length of the strands of tobacco.

• Extra Long Cuts are a little bit longer than long cut and sits very comfortably in the mouth
• Long cuts are easiest to pack and keep comfortably in the mouth.
• Mid cuts are comparable to small granules at about 1 mm cubed.
• Fine cuts are slightly larger than sand or coffee grounds.
• Snuffs are the granular size of fine dirt or sand. Extremely small cut.
• Pouches hold fine cut or snuff tobacco in a small, teabag-like pouch. They are less messy because the tobacco won't fall out of one's fingers and mouth. Dipping tobacco in pouches resemble snus "portions", but the difference between these two products lies in the way the tobacco is processed. Dipping tobacco (including pouched products) undergoes fermentation, whereas tobacco in snus is pasteurized.

Health issues

An example of a how dipping tobacco is often placed in the mouth.

Cancerous effects

Dipping tobacco can cause fatal oral cancers and tooth loss. Some cancers include the following: Tongue cancer, lip cancer, cheek cancer, gum cancer, throat cancer, and cancer in the roof and floor of the mouth.^[1] In some cases it has been known to cause cancer within only a few years of use. Gruen Von Behrens, now a public speaker against the product, started using dipping tobacco at age 13 only to be diagnosed with mouth cancer at 17. He started noticing signs of cancer at age 16 however.

Cardiovascular effects

Studies are inconclusive as to how significantly smokeless tobacco affects users' cardiovascular systems, but it has been studied that it may have more nicotine than cigarettes. One study states that, "Although the evidence is not conclusive, the adverse cardiovascular effects of smokeless tobacco use are less than those caused by smoking but are more than those found in non-users."^[2] Other studies also indicate that smokeless tobacco related cardiovascular risks are lower than that of smoked tobacco.^[3][4] One study states that smokeless tobacco use has a "positive effect on cardiovascular risk factors in young physically fit men."^[5] However, it is important to note that one Indian study from the state of Rajasthan states, "There is a significantly greater prevalence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors [sic] obesity, resting tachycardia, hypertension, high total and LDL cholesterol, and low HDL cholesterol, and electrocardiographic changes in tobacco users, chewing or smoking, as compared-to tobacco non-users. Chewing tobacco is associated with similar cardiovascular risk as smoking."^[6] This finding may bear on the possibility that smokeless tobacco in India is produced differently than in Western countries.^{[original research?]}

Due to contrasting results in studies, many conclude that further research should be done on the cardiovascular risks of smokeless tobacco.^[7][8]

Addiction potential

Smokeless tobacco contains nicotine, which is the primary reinforcing agent.

According to European Union policy, Scandinavian or some American smokeless tobaccos are at least 90% less hazardous than cigarette smoking.^[9] However, the habit is still addictive.

Taxation and restriction of smoking is causing more smokeless tobacco use as "substitution." There are active public health debates regarding risk-reduction for smokers and the 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."^[10] Most of these studies are supported by the makers of smokeless tobacco.^{[citation needed]}

Additives

There are few reports confirming what additives smokeless tobacco contains, and it is very likely that brands vary in the kinds and amounts of additives used. There is a widespread urban myth fact that fiberglass is added to smokeless tobacco to increase the efficiency of nicotine absorption.^{[citation needed]} Although small, glass-like particles can be seen in snus, this may be due to the formation of salt crystals.^[11]

The addition of glass to dipping tobacco would not be beneficial for increasing nicotine delivery, as bleeding and inflammation would be likely to reduce the uptake of nicotine.^[12] The amount of nicotine absorbed can be controlled by different cutting of the tobacco, increasing the nicotine concentration and raising the pH of the tobacco by adding various salts.^[13] An alkaline pH causes more nicotine to be absorbed, especially the free, unprotonated form, but is irritating to the mucosa. Nicotine itself can also irritate the mucosa.

List of brands

Common brands

• Grizzly - Snuff, Long Cut, Mint, Straight, Wintergreen, Wells, natural,
• Copenhagen - Snuff, Straight, Black, Smooth Hickory(Cope), Whiskey Blend(Cope), Wintergreen, Long Cut, Natural Extra Long Cut, Pouches, Straight(Cope)
• Husky - Straight, Natural, Mint, Wintergreen
• Kodiak - Straight, Mint, Wintergreen
• Red Seal - Natural, Wintergreen, Mint, Straight
• Skoal - Xtra Rich, Xtra Crisp, Xtra Mint, Xtra Wintergreen, Straight, Mint, Wintergreen, Apple, Cherry, Berry, Citrus, Peach, Spearmint, Edge Wintergreen, Vanilla
• Timber Wolf - Natural, Straight, Cool Wintergreen, Wintergreen, Apple, Mint, Peach
• Kayak - Apple, Peach, Mint, Grape, Straight, Wintergreen
• Longhorn - Mint, Straight, Wintergreen
• Red Man - Straight, Natural, and Wintergreen
• Stoker's - Mint, Wintergreen, Natural, Straight
• Klondike - Straight, Peppermint, Wintergreen
• Wolfpack - Pouches, Natural (very potent)

Uncommon brands

• Warrior
• Rene
• redwood
• Silver Creek
• Cooper
• Cougar
• Gold River
• Tomahawk
• Silverado
• Rooster
• Happy Days
• Dukes
• Revved Up Energy Dip
• Bobcat
• Predator
• Bruton
• Snepps
• Tahoe
• Marlboro
• Camel
• Red Rooster Tobacco
• Stokers (Tubs of dip)
• Hawken

Legality

Based on studies at the time was believed to be a strong association with cancer and a fairly low usage outside of North America and , several countries have banned the sale (and in some cases the import) of dipping tobacco. Sale of dipping tobacco was banned in Australia and New Zealand in 1986 ^[14] and in most of the EU nations in 1992.^[15] Sweden was exempt from this ban because of the traditionally high usage of snus in that country.

In the USA it is illegal to sell dip to persons under the age of 18 (except in Alabama, Alaska, New Jersey, Utah, and the Counties of Suffolk and Nassau in New York State where the age requirement is 19).

Companies are now required to place very large warning labels that comprise at least twenty percent of all advertisements and thirty percent of two principal display panels on each tin.

Taxation

In the United States, the federal government taxes dipping tobacco at $0.5033 per pound or $0.0315 per ounce tin or pouch.^[16] Excise taxes are also levied at the state level (Pennsylvania being the only exception), and in some instances, at the local level. Sales tax is also applied to the full retail price of dipping tobacco in most jurisdictions.

See also

• Herbal dipping tobacco
• Smoking cessation
• Snus
• Tobacco industry
• Tobacco products

References

1. ^ "Smokeless Tobacco - National Cancer Institute". http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/tobacco/smokeless-tobacco. Retrieved 19 June 2011. 
2. ^ Gupta R, Gurm H, Bartholomew JR (September 2004). "Smokeless tobacco and cardiovascular risk". Arch. Intern. Med. 164 (17): 1845–9. doi:10.1001/archinte.164.17.1845. PMID 15451758. 
3. ^ Asplund K (2003). "Smokeless tobacco and cardiovascular disease". Prog Cardiovasc Dis 45 (5): 383–94. doi:10.1053/pcad.2003.00102. PMID 12704595. 
4. ^ Bolinder G (October 1997). "[Overview of knowledge of health effects of smokeless tobacco. Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality because of snuff]" (in Swedish). Lakartidningen 94 (42): 3725–31. PMID 9411127. 
5. ^ Siegel D, Benowitz N, Ernster VL, Grady DG, Hauck WW (March 1992). "Smokeless tobacco, cardiovascular risk factors, and nicotine and cotinine levels in professional baseball players". Am J Public Health 82 (3): 417–21. doi:10.2105/AJPH.82.3.417. PMC 1694380. PMID 1536359. http://www.ajph.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=1536359. 
6. ^ Gupta BK, Kaushik A, Panwar RB, et al. (January 2007). "Cardiovascular risk factors in tobacco-chewers: a controlled study". J Assoc Physicians India 55: 27–31. PMID 17444341. 
7. ^ Winn DM (September 1997). "Epidemiology of cancer and other systemic effects associated with the use of smokeless tobacco". Adv. Dent. Res. 11 (3): 313–21. doi:10.1177/08959374970110030201. PMID 9524431. http://adr.sagepub.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=9524431. 
8. ^ Critchley JA, Unal B (April 2004). "Is smokeless tobacco a risk factor for coronary heart disease? A systematic review of epidemiological studies". Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 11 (2): 101–12. doi:10.1097/01.hjr.0000114971.39211.d7. PMID 15187813. http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=1741-8267&volume=11&issue=2&spage=101. 
9. ^ Bates C, Fagerström K, Jarvis MJ, Kunze M, McNeill A, Ramström L (December 2003). "European Union policy on smokeless tobacco: a statement in favour of evidence based regulation for public health". Tob Control 12 (4): 360–7. doi:10.1136/tc.12.4.360. PMC 1747769. PMID 14660767. http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=14660767. 
10. ^ UK's Action on Smoking & Health (ASH..) Accessed on July 31, 2007.
11. ^ Frequently Asked Questions. Gothiatek. Accessed on November 25, 2007.
12. ^ Smokeless tobacco and your health. Tobaccoharmreduction.org. Accessed on November 25, 2007.
13. ^ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1999). "Determination of nicotine, pH, and moisture content of six US commercial moist snuff products--Florida, January–February 1999". JAMA 281 (24): 2279–80. doi:10.1001/jama.281.24.2279. PMID 10386544. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/281/24/2279. 
14. ^ Sachdev P, Chapman S (September 2005). "Availability of smokeless tobacco products in South Asian grocery shops in Sydney, 2004". Med. J. Aust. 183 (6): 334. PMID 16167879. http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/183_06_190905/letters_190905_fm-1.html. 
15. ^ British American Tobacco - EU Social Reporting - Issues
16. ^ http://www.ttb.gov/tax_audit/atftaxes.shtml

External links

• Smokeout: Not as easy as ABC - Commentary - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper
• Effect of smokeless tobacco (snus) on smoking and public health in Sweden
• Tobacco harm reduction: an alternative cessation strategy for inveterate smokers. By Brad Rodu and William T. Godshall, published in December 2006 in Harm Reduction Journal.
• SnusOn Community - The world's largest forum community centered around Swedish snus and smokeless tobacco. Contains reviews,tutorials, information and discussions.
• Snus Authority - A blog dedicated to snus, snuff, and other forms of smokeless tobacco.