History of chewing tobacco

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:19:59 +0000

Prior to the invention of the phosphorous match in the mid-nineteenth century, two forms of smokeless tobacco were popular: snuff and chewing tobacco.
Snuff became the preferred nicotine delivery system for the upper class in Europe in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, becoming popular in England after 1660 when the court of Charles II introduced it upon returning to London from exile in Paris. The tobacco leaf was ground up with a rasp into a fine powder that could be inhaled through the nose.

An instruction manual from this Rococo period laid out fourteen steps for the genteel use of snuff, including the manner for extracting snuff from the box and bringing it to the nose. Two of the final steps included “Take in the snuff evenly with both nostrils without making a grimace” and “Sneeze, cough, and expectorate”.

Elegant habitués prided themselves on being able to stuff their noses with snuff without sneezing. An indication of snuff’s popularity can be seen from Marie Antoinette’s wedding presents; there were more than fifty gold snuff boxes, making them an even more popular gift than gold watches.

The preferred forms of smokeless tobacco among Americans of European decent were chewing tobacco and snuff used as a moist dip. To use snuff, a small instrument was needed to deposit moist dip on the gums or to place a pinch inside the cheek. Chewing tobacco needed no instrument and was a favourite of sailors and men who worked outdoors for use while working. Early on, chewing tobacco was sold in loose bulky bags.

Later, sweeteners were added, and it was molded into lumps to fit into a pocket. Chewing, in particular, led to the mouth becoming filled with tobacco juice that could either be swallowed (often causing stomach problems) or, preferably, spat out. When the Catholic pope banned smoking in church in 1642, some prelates sought to maintain their nicotine habit by changing to chewing tobacco.

British writer Sir Compton Mackenzie noted with amazement that he had encountered one particular prelate in Seville who would chew tobacco during his sermon and then “spit over the heads of pious women seated on the floor under his pulpit and each time hit the same flagstone with his tobacco juice” .

Effects of dipping tobacco

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:19:25 +0000

Dipping tobacco sometimes mistakenly called “chewing tobacco“.
It is a form of smokeless tobacco and also known as moist snuff or spit tobacco. It is commonly referred to as dip while the act of using it is called dipping. Instead of literally chewing on tobacco, a small clump of dip is ‘pinched’ out of the tin and placed between the lower lip and the gums.
It is a version of the Swedish “snus” that was brought to America by Swedish immigrants in the 19th century.
The dip rests on the inside lining of the mouth for approximately 30 minutes to an hour. Ultimately the duration of a dip is determined by the user.
Most people who state they want to quit dipping tobacco will admit that they realize the negative effects or dangers of dipping. When you are dipping tobacco you are putting more nicotine into your body and bloodstream than you would smoke cigarettes. Dipping around 10 times in a day is like smoking 40 cigarettes.

EFFECTS OF DIPPING TOBACCO
The tobacco that makes up dip contains over 3000 chemicals and 28 known carcinogens that can cause cancer if you don’t quit dipping.
Studies have shown that dipping tobacco has a relatively low risk for cancer, but some studies give conflicting results.
Many medical researchers think more so because people are not as aware of the dangers. Cancers of the mouth, lips, tongue and throat can quickly develop in people who use smokeless tobacco and leave grotesque and debilitating – even deadly – results.

Side effects of dipping tobacco are: raises blood pressure, bad breath, mouth sores, receding gums, stained teeth, raises heart rate, anxiety. And it is far not full list of harmful effects of dipping tobacco.
Dipping tobacco may have started out as fun, to bond, or simply to ward off boredom, stress or a long drive or work day. But in the end becomes something they depend on to “feel normal”.
So the time comes when they finally decide it is time to quit dipping tobacco.

Say Smoking No Forever » Chewing tobacco

History of chewing tobacco

Effects of dipping tobacco