You've likely heard that chewing tobacco is safer than smoking cigarettes - or that chewing tobacco is at least a healthier alternative to smoking. The people telling you this are likely doing so to justify their own dip or chew addiction. This is dangerous - because the spread of misinformation is leading to more and more tobacco addiction worldwide.

Today, we'll analyze the chewing tobacco vs smoking debate and address the question once and for all: is chewing tobacco better than smoking cigarettes?

The short answer is no - you're trading in one addiction for another by switching from smoking tobacco to chewing tobacco. The smokeless form of tobacco presents plenty of its own risks.

At the end of the day, there is no "healthy" way to consume tobacco - or nicotine for that matter. Ultimately, the best way to kick the habit and create a physically and mentally healthier version of yourself is to find a dip replacement - such as Grinds. This gives you the boost you need to get through the day without any of the health consequences of tobacco addiction. More on that later. First, let's take a look at why some claim chewing tobacco is a healthier alternative to smoking...

Why Some Claim that Chewing Tobacco is a Healthier Alternative to Smoking Cigarettes

When you compare smoking and chewing tobacco, there is one common factor: nicotine is present in both. However, when you smoke, the nicotine is delivered directly to your bloodstream through inhaling the smoke, resulting in a rapid increase of nicotine levels in your system. On the other hand, when you chew tobacco, it is absorbed slowly - though still rapidly enough that addiction can occur quickly and easily.

As such, some people have argued that chewing is safer than smoking because it doesn't deliver as much nicotine in one hit. This is true to an extent - but not entirely accurate. We'll explain why shortly.

There's another reason some claim that chewing tobacco is safer then smoking cigarettes - and that's because your lungs remain unharmed. Again, not entirely true. And even if it were true, this disregards the fact that you're still wreaking havoc on your oral health while contributing to stomach & throat complications down the road. So - enough is enough. Is chewing tobacco better than smoking cigarettes, or is it safe to say they're both awful addictions?

So...Is Chewing Tobacco Better Than Smoking Cigarettes?

The answer is a resounding no. Unfortunately chewing tobacco has serious health risks just like smoking. Not only is chewing tobacco more easily accessible to younger children and teens but it is also linked to plenty of dangerous side effects:

• Increased risk of oral cancer
• Increases in saliva production
• Dry mouth
• Canker sores & gum disease
• Tooth decay & discoloration

The obvious dangers of a chewing tobacco habit are in relation to oral health. But what if we told you that the long-term implications of chewing go far beyond the issues described above? It's true. But to fully unpack the dangers of chewing tobacco in comparison to cigarettes, let’s take a look at the risks side by side below. 

Chewing Tobacco vs Smoking: The True Dangers of Nicotine Revealed

Now - it's true that chewing tobacco isn't a whole lot better for you than smoking. But if you're currently addicted to cigarettes, you may be trying to wean your way off with a less harmful substance - even if that substance isn't necessarily good for you.

So - in terms of picking the lesser of two evils, how exactly do chewing tobacco and cigarettes stack up against each other? Which is more addictive? Which produces more harmful health consequences? We'll evaluate these two factors below to help you jumpstart your journey to better health. Let's start with which is more addictive between chewing tobacco vs smoking cigarettes.

Which is More Addictive?

It is true that nicotine is present in both smoking and chewing tobacco - however, the delivery method is different. And thus, the level of addiction varies in each delivery method.

As we mentioned before, when you smoke cigarettes, nicotine is delivered directly into your bloodstream through inhaling the smoke. 

When you chew or dip, nicotine is absorbed more slowly throughout your body. This doesn't make it any less addictive, however. In fact, research is showing that chewing tobacco is even more addictive than smoking cigarettes! 

But beyond addiction, which delivery method creates more harmful health consequences in the chewing tobacco vs smoking debate? The answer may surprise you…

Which Creates More Harmful Health Consequences?

Ultimately, the big question in the chewing tobacco vs smoking debate is - which is more harmful to your physical and mental health? We've mentioned already that they're both awful - but which is worse? After all, you've got to start your journey to recovery somewhere...here's the breakdown of both of these tobacco delivery methods.

When it comes to smoking cigarettes, the health risks are pretty well known. For starters, smoking is linked to lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and even COPD. Smoking is also one of the leading causes of preventable death in the US - so you can see why this is such a serious concern.

Now let's discuss chewing tobacco. Despite what you may have heard, it can be just as harmful if not more dangerous than smoking cigarettes! As we mentioned earlier, chewing is linked to oral cancer and other damaging oral issues like dry mouth and tooth decay. Additionally, dipping is linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer - something that is far less common when it comes to cigarette smokers. 

Chewing Tobacco vs Smoking Cigarettes: The Verdict

Long story short: nicotine is dangerous whether you're smoking or chewing - and both delivery methods present serious health risks that shouldn't be overlooked. 

This is why tobacco-free chew is not safe if there is still nicotine present - products like Zyn have branded themselves as a healthy alternative to both traditional chewing tobacco and smoking. But ultimately, you're still developing an addiction - the longer you use it, the harder it'll be to kick the can when the time comes. And if you're wondering to yourself - is it possible to not get addicted to nicotine while using it sparingly? - you can rest assured the answer is no. The only way to avoid a nicotine habit is to avoid the substance altogether. Why choose one or the other when you could simply abstain from both - and live a healthier, happier life?

Need Help Quitting?

If the addictive properties of nicotine have already sunk their claws into you, don't sweat it. You're not alone. And, while the journey ahead may seem impossible right now, quitting nicotine is more simple than you may think (notice we said simple - not easy). 

We have a complete guide on how to quit dipping tobacco, along with an article covering quit chewing tobacco tips. These are great resources to help you set off one the right foot. But really, the advice we'd give anyone looking to quit a nicotine habit - of any form - can be summarized as this:

1. Understand what this addiction is doing to you. It's costing you money, destroying your physical health, and taking a serious toll on your mental health along the way. What does it offer in exchange? A slight energy boost? A bit of relaxation? There are natural, non-addictive substances that can do this. By first admitting to yourself that your habit needs to go, you can then take action.
2. Set a date to quit and hold yourself accountable. Some try and wean themselves off tobacco, but others find that going cold turkey makes it easier to actually stop. You can lean on loved ones during this time and ask them to hold you accountable, too. For many of us, the goal of not letting someone down is far more motivating than not letting yourself down.
3. Prepare for withdrawals. You can expect physical dip withdrawal symptoms like headaches, nausea, fatigue, acne, and more. Mentally, prepare for irritability and severe cravings to strike. You can learn more about what happens when you quit dipping in our blog. The next tip we have to offer will help you navigate these symptoms with ease...
4. Find a suitable replacement. When those cravings hit, you can rely on a chewing tobacco alternative that gives you the same sensation of traditional dip - without any of the harmful health consequences. More on that in just a moment - we'll introduce your secret weapon in the fight against addiction.
5. Finally, reward yourself. Overcoming nicotine addiction can be a tough hill to climb. So, when you hit milestones, take a moment to look back on how far you've come and reward yourself - you can treat yourself to a nice dinner, that new pair of shoes you've been wanting, whatever it may be.

Introducing a Healthier Alternative to Chewing Tobacco: Grinds

We've mentioned it a few times already, but no - chewing tobacco is not a healthier alternative to cigarettes. If you're currently addicted to nicotine in any form, it is a good idea to find a healthier replacement - but that's not possible if you're still consuming nicotine.

SO - lean on a product that's 100% nicotine and tobacco-free, while still giving you the experience and sensations you've come to know and love. For that, you can count on Grinds tobacco and nicotine-free dip.

This is an excellent alternative for those looking to kick their addiction without having to sacrifice any kind of energy boost throughout the day. Instead of nasty nicotine, it has caffeine and B vitamins. So, you still get that boost that nicotine has given you all this time - and then some! Those who switch to Grinds say they wish they found it sooner. You'll be amazed at how it transforms your health and productivity.

To top it all off, we have the best flavors. Period. You can choose from classics like wintergreen or coffee, or spice things up with off-the-wall flavors like cinnamon roll, Tennessee whiskey, or Irish creme. With Grinds, you'll never get bored - and you'll never look back to nicotine.

Wrapping up Our Discussion on Chewing Tobacco vs Smoking Cigarettes

So, is chewing tobacco better than smoking cigarettes? After reading this discussion on the differences between chewing tobacco vs smoking tobacco, you should be well aware that the answer is no. These are both awful habits that are slowly but surely killing you - while lowering your quality of life in the short term.

Fortunately, Grinds is here to help you kick this habit to the curb once and for all with in-depth resources on quitting tobacco. We also have the #1 replacement for traditional chewing tobacco - our safe, 100% nicotine-free pouches. These taste great and help you perform at a high rate all day long with a powerful boost of energy. See what the hype is all about by grabbing your first can(s) today!