September 20, 2010 - The American Heart Association (AHA) published a press release last week recommending against the use of smokeless tobacco products (ST) as an alternative to cigarette smoking or as a smoking cessation product and states that they are not a “safe” alternative to cigarettes.  This statement was published mainly to address concerns raised by a Swedish study that found there was a significant decrease in smoking among Swedish men between 1976 and 2002 as a result of an increase in the use of smokeless tobacco products.  However, studies in the United States have not had the same results and reports have shown that there is no reduction in smoking prevalence among people who use smokeless tobacco products.

Mariann Piano, PhD, professor in the Department of Biobehavioral Health Science at the University of Illinois Chicago and head writer of the AHA’s statement, explains that “No tobacco product is safe to consume.”  While the cardiovascular risk associated with using smokeless tobacco products is lower than the risks associated with cigarette smoking, AHA’s statement claims that data is “lacking to support ST use as a safe and long-term strategy for smoking cessation.”  Using smokeless tobacco products as an alternative to cigarette smoking perpetuates the risk of addiction and also increases the risk of returning to smoking.  In addition, smokeless tobacco products may increase the risk of fatal heart attack, fatal stroke, and certain cancers according to the Journal of the American Heart Association.  “Smokeless tobacco products are harmful and addictive – that does not translate to a better alternative,” states Piano who also recommends that “Scientists and policy makers need to assess the effect of “reduced risk” messages related to smokeless tobacco use on public perception, especially among smokers who might be trying to quit.”

For more information please visit: http://www.newsroom.heart.org/index.php?s=43&item=1107