Other Types Of Smoking

The vast majority of smokers use cigarettes, which are either bought in a packet or made using rolling paper and loose tobacco; however, there are other forms of tobacco product and smoking methods, including:

  • smoking a pipe
  • smoking cigars
  • chewing tobacco
  • snuff

Although smoking cigarettes poses the greatest risk to health, other forms of smoking and inhaling tobacco are also dangerous for your health; all these forms of smoking are associated with an increased risk of cancer, most notably, lung, oral and oesophageal cancer, and respiratory illnesses. Smoking cannabis has also been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. 


Smoking a pipe and smoking cigars carry similar risks to smoking cigarettes; however, smokeless tobacco, including chewing tobacco and snuff, is slightly different, as it enters the body through a different means

Smokeless tobacco

Chewing tobacco, snus (a ground powder form of tobacco pronounced as ‘snoose’, which comes from Scandinavia) and snuff have been identified as particularly harmful risk factors for mouth cancer, as they are absorbed directly through the gum tissue. One of the most common symptoms of using snuff or spit tobacco is white patches in the mouth, which are known as leukoplakia; these patches often develop into mouth cancer and are one of the most notable warning signs to look out for. 

Like smoking a cigarette, using smokeless tobacco provides the body with nicotine and it can become addictive; this means that you are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms if you try to give up.

Smokeless tobacco has been linked to an increased risk of:

  • oral cancer
  • stomach, pancreatic and oesophageal cancer
  • increased risk of heart attacks and strokes
  • bone loss beneath the gums, which may increase the risk of premature tooth loss
  • tooth discolouration
  • halitosis (bad breath)
  • enamel wear (and subsequent sensitivity and increased risk of decay and gum disease)
  • gum recession

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