title: [Smokeless tobacco].
abstract: The use of snus (smokeless tobacco) can be detrimental to health. Containing carcinogenic nitrosamines (Swedish snus do not contain nitrosamine). Snus delivers rapidly high doses of nicotine which can lead to dependence. It do not induce bronchial carcinoma differently smoked tobacco. Lesions usually develop in the area of the mouth where the snus is placed. Non-malignant oral lesions include leukoedema, hyperkeratotic lesions of the oral mucosa and localised periodontal disease. The most frequently occurring premalignant lesion is leukoplakia. Studies reveal conflicting evidence about the risk of oral and gastroesophageal cancer with regard to snus users. However, the use of snus has proved to be a risk factor in developing pancreatic cancer and increases the risk of fatal myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. During pregnancy, snus is associated with an increased risk of pre-eclampsia and premature delivery. Nicotine substitution therapy and bupropion and varenicline reduce withdrawal symptoms and tobacco craving during snus cessation. However, they have not been shown to assist in long-term abstinence. Information concerning potential hazards of using snus products must be incorporated into health educational programmes in order to discourage its use. Snus is not a recommended product to help in stopping to smoke.
authors.affiliation: CHU de Poitiers, service de pneumologie, unité de tabacologie, 86000 Poitiers, France. m.underner@chu-poitiers.fr
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Underner
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perriot
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peiffer
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity