Increasing use of smokeless tobacco

Smokeless tobacco use in the Region is increasing rapidly, especially among young people and women. The Region has some of the highest rates in the world with overall rates of use of tobacco products other than cigarettes (including smokeless tobacco) of 14% among boys age 13–15 (compared to 7% cigarette use) and 9% among girls age 13–15 (compared to 2% cigarette use). Rates are even higher in some countries of the Region. In many countries, more women and young people use other tobacco products than smoke cigarettes.

Underlying this increase is the misperception that use of tobacco products such as smokeless tobacco is less harmful to health than smoking cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. However, the health dangers of smokeless tobacco use are little understood by users.

Marketing smokeless tobacco              

Smokeless tobacco is being increasingly marketed by the tobacco industry. This includes marketing to cigarette smokers as an alternative in situations in which smoking is not allowed. It is also marketed to young people to promote initiation of tobacco use. Smokeless tobacco is often easier for young people to obtain than cigarettes and is easier to use without drawing attention.

Smokeless tobacco has not had the same amount of regulation as cigarettes. In most countries, the smokeless tobacco sold does not carry health warnings on its packaging. This reinforces the perception that smokeless tobacco use is relatively safe compared to cigarettes.