Dr. Brad Rodu: American Dental Assocation Smokeless Tobacco Accusations
Dr. Brad Rodu is a medical professor at the University of Louisville, writer of the Tobacco Truth Blog, and tobacco harm reduction expert. The American Dental Association has drawn his criticism in the past for publishing brochures with false statements about smokeless tobacco. Now it appears, they may have changed their tune.
Dr. Rodu reports that the new mouth and throat cancer brochure now correctly attributes these cancers to “…most often in people who smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes and drink heavily (30 drinks or more per week).” A newer version of the smokeless tobacco brochure also makes no mention of mouth cancer, which given the incredibly low risk is a huge improvement.
However, while the ADA has released more accurate information, they still let a few head scratchers slip. Dr. Rodu dispenses with them in quick succession:
1.) “One can of smokeless tobacco has as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes or three packs.” Dr. Rodu compares this claim to alcohol consumption, while liquor is more potent than beer, you can achieve the same effect with different amounts. The user regulates their own consumption. In fact, smokers and smokeless users attain nearly the same peak nicotine levels, regardless of which method they choose.
2.) “Smokeless tobacco … has over 3,000 chemicals, including 28 cancer-causing substances.” He notes that while this may be true, he feels that this claim is pointless. There are foods and consumables we use everyday that contain carcinogens. The question is, are the amounts we consume enough to be harmful? Dr. Rodu believes these claims are scare tactics.
3.) “People may think that smokeless means harmless, but nothing could be further from the truth.” Credible tobacco harm reduction advocates are not making this claim, yet it’s thrown around constantly. Any tobacco product has the potential to harm you, but some are reduced risk alternatives. Still, I don’t think this is the last we’ve heard of this one.
Check out the full blog post here. Fantastic work Dr. Rodu, keep it up!
Philippe Caron-Boutin on March 15th, 2013 7:48 pm
nice blogging
mrcrunch08 on March 16th, 2013 12:34 am
thanks for the post. more info people need to know.
Todd on March 16th, 2013 5:27 am
Harm reduction makes me happy – I don’t have to have it harmless. I’m an adult and know the risks… but thankfully we have options!
slap_maxwell on March 16th, 2013 6:03 am
True, Todd; we assess risks every day whenever we get out of bed. Should we jaywalk or wait for the light? Maybe have a rare hamburger instead of a well-done patty…hell, should we even get out of bed at all? Low risk alternatives to anything are always better than no alternatives… And allowing us to make our own decision unfettered by lobbyists, nannies and career politicians looking to buy votes is the best of all.
RCO67 on March 16th, 2013 9:54 am
I agree with slap. Tired of people trying to take away my right to make my own risk assessment. I truly feel the government’s role should be strictly to do research and present non biased facts for us make a reasoned choice.
MrsCasey on March 16th, 2013 10:32 am
If smokeless meant harmless it wouldn’t be called Tobacco Harm Reduction it would be called Tobacco Harm Abolishment.
Morrinb on March 16th, 2013 5:12 pm
Great info!
Tyler on March 16th, 2013 11:11 pm
great blog!
Danielle on March 17th, 2013 5:38 am
Nice.. Sharing this with a few people.
Chad on March 18th, 2013 8:16 am
Great blog. Thanks!
Courtney C on March 19th, 2013 11:58 pm
Smokeless tobacco is still tobacco. Its amazing how many people trade one harm for another. Thanks for sharing!
Nev NYC on March 20th, 2013 2:37 am
interesting info, thx!!
Johnathan Brown (Sepsis) on March 23rd, 2013 8:36 pm
Thanks for the information!
Ralph on March 26th, 2013 3:25 pm
very cool i love to take a couple vapes before i go into the gym