Understand the risks of chewing tobacco | Government of Northwest Territories

Know the risks of chewing tobacco

It helps to remember that just because you don’t smoke tobacco doesn’t mean it is safe to use. Plus, chewing tobacco, or snuff, can be even more addictive than smoking cigarettes.

Chewing tobacco can cause many types of cancer, including cancer of the mouth, tongue, gums, stomach, oesophagus (throat) and bladder. Heavy users might also notice that their teeth can start to get worn down and stained by the chewing tobacco, which can also cause the gums to recede. Regular chewing tobacco use is linked to higher heart attack risks too, since it is known to raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Compare chewing tobacco and smoking

Chewing tobacco contains more nicotine than cigarettes and can be even more difficult to quit than smoking.

Having a regular amount of chew in your mouth for 30 minutes will give you as much nicotine as three cigarettes. This means more nicotine gets into your bloodstream, which causes a buzz that regular chewing tobacco users can begin to crave. This buzz can momentarily change the way you think, feel and even act.

Take steps to quit chewing tobacco

Chewing tobacco is highly addictive. But just like smoking, it is possible to stop using chewing tobacco.

Many people who quit find it helpful to replace chewing tobacco with a healthier substitute, like sunflower seeds, beef jerky or chewing gum. These substitutes take the physical place of chew in the mouth and they can help keep you distracted.

Heavy users of chewing tobacco may also want to consider Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to reduce their cravings and to lessen their withdrawal symptoms. NRT includes nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers and sprays that provide a cleaner dose of nicotine without the toxic and cancer-causing chemicals found in chewing tobacco.

Doctors can also prescribe medicines like Champix and Zyban to help you quit.

Registered nurses trained to help you quit chewing tobacco are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 811 or 1-844-259-1793.

Find resources about chewing tobacco

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Adult

Ts’élt’uı t’ál sı́ dzéts’elt’uı k’ı́s dëneba nezų́le ɂat’e

PDF • 138.93KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Teen

Ts’élt’uı t’ál sı́ dzéts’elt’uı k’ı́s dëneba nezų́le ɂat’e

PDF • 142.7KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Adult

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking

PDF • 307.3KB • Jun 16, 2025

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Teen

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking (Teen)

PDF • 379.81KB • Jun 16, 2025

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Adult

Ts’eet’at shatr’il’aii ts’eet’at tr’ijiłk’àn’ hàh nihk’it iizuh

PDF • 156.54KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Teen

Ts’eet’at shatr’il’aii ts’eet’at tr’ijiłk’àn’ hàh nihk’it iizuh

PDF • 151.21KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Adult

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Teen

Tamuattuaq tipaakuq nakungitigiyuq taimatut higaqtutut

PDF • 150.23KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Adult

ᑎᐹᑦ ᑕᒧᐊᑦᑐᐊᒐᐃᑦ ᐱᐅᖏᖃᑕᐅᕗᑦ ᑕᐃᒪᓐᓇᑎᑐᑦ ᓯᒡᒐᓖᖅᑎᑐᑦ

PDF • 126.67KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Teen

ᑎᐹᖃᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᑕᒧᐊᑦᑐᐊᑦ ᐱᐅᖏᑎᒋᕗᑦ ᓯᒡᒐᓖᖅᑐᕐᓂᕐᑎᑐᑦ

PDF • 122.95KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Adult

Tamuaq taugaaqiq ulurianaqtuq

PDF • 177.82KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Teen

Tamuaq taugaaqiq ulurianaqtuq

PDF • 175.33KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Adult

Ts’étu dzé hé ts’et’u hé ełet’e ǫt’e

PDF • 141.59KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Teen

Ts’étu dzé hé ts’et’u hé ełet’e ǫt’e

PDF • 153.82KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Adult

Ts’éhtsę thats’ę´h o˛ sée lá ts’ééts’et’úu eléht’e o˛t’e

PDF • 195.09KB • Jan 31, 2022

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Teen

Ts’éhtsę thats’ę´h o˛ sée lá ts’ééts’et’úu ełéht’e ǫt’e

PDF • 200.6KB • Jan 31, 2022

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Adult

Kwelè ts’edè, ts’et’ıı lanı nezı ̀ -le

PDF • 132.7KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Teen

Kwelè ts’edè, ts’et’ıı lanı nezı ̀-le

PDF • 132.85KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Adult

Ts’élt’uı t’ál sı́ dzéts’elt’uı k’ı́s dëneba nezų́le ɂat’e

PDF • 138.93KB • May 20, 2021

Chewing tobacco is just as bad as smoking - Teen

Ts’élt’uı t’ál sı́ dzéts’elt’uı k’ı́s dëneba nezų́le ɂat’e

PDF • 142.7KB • May 20, 2021

Updated: Jul 06, 2026

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