Smokeless ("spit") tobacco use is a significant, but largely unrecognized public health problem. The two leading smokeless tobacco brands for users aged 12 years or older are Skoal (28 percent) and Copenhagen (22 percent).

Types of Smokeless Tobacco

There are many different kinds of spit tobacco, and snuff is the most popular type. Snuff is moist, finely chopped tobacco and it is placed between the cheek and gum and doesn’t require chewing. Some snuff is packaged in individual serving bags, allowing the user to chew without spitting. Chewing tobacco, another form of spit, comes in three forms: loose leaf, plugs, and twists. Loose leaf is shredded tobacco leaves made into strips; plugs are pressed into small, soft blocks flavored with licorice and sugar and dried; and twists are dried and twisted into hard spirals.

Health Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Use

Smokeless tobacco contains 28 carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents. Its use increases the risk of developing cancer in the oral cavity. Many oral health problems are strongly associated with smokeless tobacco use, including lesions and recession of the gums. Smokeless tobacco use can also lead to nicotine addiction and dependence.

Current Estimate of Smokeless Tobacco Use in the U.S.

Smokeless tobacco use in the United States is higher among young white males; American Indians/ Alaska Natives; people living in southern and northern central states; and people who are employed in blue collar occupations, service/ laborer jobs or who are unemployed.

Nationally, an estimated three percent of adults are current smokeless tobacco users. Smokeless tobacco use is much higher among men (6.0 percent) than women (0.4 percent).

An estimated 8.0 percent of high school students and 3.0 percent of middle school students are current smokeless tobacco users.

Marketing Smokeless Tobacco

In 2005, the five largest tobacco manufacturers spent a record $250.79 million on smokeless tobacco advertising and promotion.

Many smokeless tobacco companies reach rural populations, particularly youth and young adult males, by marketing their products at sporting events. In 2001, spit tobacco companies spent $17.9 million on promotions at sporting events, including rodeos. U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC) sponsors rodeos at both the local and national levels. The company’s local-level marketing strategies include the distribution of free product samples; indoor and outdoor advertising such as banners and scoreboards; and rodeo program ads.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Smoking and Tobacco Use. "Fact Sheet: Smokeless Tobacco," April 2007.