Chewing Tobacco

1. Wipe or rinse out mouth and remove any visible tobacco shreds/pieces.
2. Give a serving size of water to drink.
3. Wash any exposed skin using a generous, soapy lather and warm water.
4. Call 1-800-222-1222 for additional instructions.

If someone gets a chewing tobacco product in the eye, there can be immediate burning and stinging, which requires prompt first aid to avoid eye injury.

1. Start rinsing eye(s) with lukewarm water.
2. Call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further recommendations.

Quick Facts About Chewing Tobacco

Chewing tobacco is associated with many harmful health effects, including mouth sores, poor gum health, tooth decay, and even tooth loss. Smokeless tobacco contains nicotine, which is addictive and has effects on the developing brain. These products contain chemicals that can cause cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas.

In addition to chewing tobacco, there is also snuff and snus. Snuff is finely ground tobacco that one places in the mouth or inhales through the nose; it is a cured and fermented product. Snus is a moist tobacco that uses steam-pasteurization to reduce the presence of harmful bacteria. One typically places it under the upper lip and keeps it there to absorb the nicotine.

Nicotine’s effects depend on how rapidly it reaches its peak level and the amount absorbed. Using nicotine nasal spray results in rapid absorption, while ingestion or holding a nicotine product in the mouth results in less absorption.

Symptoms

A common call to the poison center involves children getting into containers of chewing tobacco or spittoon contents, or by users who inadvertently swallow the tobacco instead of spitting it out. There is typically a quick reaction because it causes an immediate sharp, unpleasant burning and tingling of the mouth and throat, and this reaction can appear very serious. There can be strong coughing and gagging, which our body naturally does to protect the system from the ingestion of tobacco into the stomach.

If someone swallows chewing tobacco, there can be stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting, but typically, the ingested tobacco is vomited up before there has been absorption of the nicotine. On the chance  tobacco stays in the stomach and nicotine is absorbed, it may cause symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, drooling, dizziness, sweating, pallor, anxiety, and changes in pupil size (can either appear large or pinpoint).

If you find someone has eaten a small amount of chewing tobacco, do not panic. Wipe out the mouth with a soft, wet cloth and give them some water to drink. After rinsing the mouth and removing any pieces or shreds of tobacco, call the Missouri Poison Center right away at 1-800-222-1222. Nicotine is also absorbed through the skin, so any exposed skin should be washed with a generous, soapy lather and rinsed well with warm water. The poison center is open all day, every day, for poisoning emergencies and questions.

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