Can You Swallow Chewing Tobacco?

If you have just recently switched to smokeless tobacco products like chewing tobacco from cigarettes, then you might find yourself surprised by how different they are in terms of long-term consumption.

When smoking, you often have to light a cigarette, inhale the smoke, let it out, and repeat everything until it is all gone. As for chewing tobacco, you only have to pinch some leaves, place them in your mouth, and chew everything to get the nicotine you desire from these tobacco products.

But one question that might come into your mind is whether you’re allowed to swallow chewing tobacco or not. Some people may have tried it. However, is it safe? Learn the truth behind swallowing chewing tobacco here at NativeSmokes4Less.

Can You Swallow Chewing Tobacco Spit?

Chewing tobacco is a type of smokeless tobacco that serves as an alternative way of consuming nicotine. It is basically made from large-grain tobacco leaves that resemble tea leaves. To date, chewing tobacco may be twisted into a rope form, pressed together to form a small brick shape, or come loose in paper packets or small cans. 

Regardless of the type of chewing tobacco you will be getting from your trusted store, the only way to consume one is through either chewing the tobacco or placing it between the gums and cheek for sucking. As you chew or suck, the tobacco leaves will release tobacco juices, which contain nicotine and other chemicals that may help in improving their flavours and effectiveness.

Usually, it’s recommended to consume chewing tobacco for around 30 minutes. Beyond that, the nicotine potency of the leaves will depreciate gradually. Even the flavours of the chewing tobacco may slowly disappear if you continuously chew or suck the tobacco leaves for more than half an hour.

Now, what happens with the tobacco juices that you get from chewing tobacco?

Usually, they would mix with your saliva as they accumulate in your mouth. The chemicals released by the juices will then be absorbed into your bloodstream through the thin membranes in the mouth, particularly in your gums and under the tongue.

The tobacco juices, which are also called spit tobacco, must then be spit out instead of swallowing it. There are a number of reasons why you should spit the tobacco juices out.

• Risk of overdosing with nicotine: Tobacco juices, as discussed, contain nicotine from chewing tobacco. If the juices aren’t spat out and swallowed instead, the nicotine could reach your stomach and intestines, leading to a faster and higher dose than you intend to take. It then puts you at risk of nicotine poisoning, causing symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.
• Developing other health risks: The tobacco spit from chewing tobacco contains not only nicotine, but also tar, carcinogens, and other harmful chemicals. While they are lower than those emitted by tobacco smoke, they can still be harmful to your body, especially if you swallow them directly. Without spitting the juice out, you’ll be at risk of developing oral cancer, gum disease, and other health problems that can be difficult to manage.
• The unpleasant taste of tobacco: If you’ve smoked before, you might be accustomed to its taste. However, tobacco juice can be bitter and unpleasant since it’s usually purer than tobacco smoke. This can overwhelm your taste buds, and the spit tobacco can irritate your mouth and stomach lining, causing discomfort and indigestion.

If you, however, constantly swallow tobacco juices, then you might eventually experience some irritations in your body, especially on your stomach lining and the digestive system. They could also overdose you with nicotine, which most people don’t want to experience.

For the best chewing tobacco experience, you should spit out the juices every few minutes.

Is There a Chewing Tobacco You Can Swallow?

Chewing tobacco comes in three types: plug tobacco, loose-leaf tobacco, and twist or roll tobacco.

1. Plug tobacco: Plug tobacco consists of compact blocks of tobacco leaves mixed with sweeteners such as molasses. While it is portable, plug tobacco requires a cutting tool or a sharp bite to release its contents. Compared to other chewing tobacco varieties, plug tobacco offers a slower release of flavour and nicotine. However, its compressed structure ensures a longer shelf life.
2. Loose-leaf tobacco: Loose-leaf tobacco is made from shredded or cut tobacco leaves, often sweetened and flavoured. It is the most convenient form of chewing tobacco since users simply pinch and place the leaves between their cheek and gum. Unlike plug tobacco, loose-leaf tobacco does not require cutting or biting. It then offers a rapid nicotine release and is widely available in Canada. Its only downside is the need for careful storage to maintain its moisture content.
3. Twist or roll tobacco: Twist or roll tobacco consists of rolled strands of whole or air-cured tobacco leaves. These strands are typically twisted into a rope shape for easy consumption. However, like plug tobacco, twist or roll tobacco requires cutting or biting before release. It likewise offers minimal sweetening, which may appeal only to a few chewing tobacco users. Nevertheless, twist or roll tobacco is a suitable choice for those who prefer strong tobacco flavours and high nicotine content. Proper storage can extend its shelf life. 

Each type of chewing tobacco boasts different advantages and disadvantages that may appeal to those who want to consume nicotine as well as those who are quitting smoking. NativeSmokes4Less is an online store in Canada that sells a wide range of chewing tobacco at competitive prices. Order one here.

One thing that is clear about these chewing tobacco products, however, is they are all made to be chewed or sucked to release their nicotine and flavours through tobacco juices. Tobacco companies haven’t made a type of chewing tobacco that you can swallow yet.

As a matter of fact, all types of tobacco products in the market today are meant to be smoked, chewed, sucked, and sniffed. There is no single tobacco product that you can swallow fully. Even dissolvable tobacco and powdered tobacco are not meant to be swallowed.

Swallowing them, after all, is deemed harmful and must be avoided at all costs. Tobacco juices contain nicotine and harmful chemicals. When swallowed in high doses, they will only put you at risk of developing health risks. 

These health risks include cancers in the digestive system, including the mouth, throat, and stomach, nicotine poisoning that could cause nausea, dizziness, and vomiting, ulcers, digestive problems, and many more. There are also some cases where swallowing tobacco juices and any other tobacco-related product can be life-threatening.

Therefore, it would be best to avoid swallowing any product that contains tobacco and only follow the manufacturer’s instructions in consuming chewing tobacco and other smokeless tobacco products.

What to Do if You Accidentally Swallowed Tobacco?

Many tobacco products are available in the market today, especially those that don’t require to be smoked. Snuff, for instance, is made from finely ground tobacco that you can consume by sniffing it up. Chewing tobacco, as stated earlier, is comprised of tobacco leaves which you can either chew or suck on after placing them in your mouth.

Since many smokeless tobacco products are consumed orally, a number of tobacco users might accidentally swallow them during their consumption. 

The swallowed tobacco may then start to irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines. After a few minutes, you might feel some discomfort in your digestive tract. You might then develop stomach ulcers, heartburn, and other gastrointestinal issues along the way.

Swallowing tobacco products may then significantly increase the nicotine level of your body. When your body’s nicotine level increases significantly, it may only put you at risk of being poisoned by the highly addictive substance. It may then cause symptoms like dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, nicotine poisoning may lead to seizures or death.

So, what should you do if you accidentally swallow tobacco?

Some things you must remember after swallowing tobacco accidentally are as follows:

• Stay calm and focus: When you swallow tobacco accidentally, the very first thing you shouldn’t do is panic. Panicking may only worsen your symptoms. It can also cloud your judgement, delaying the actions you should’ve taken to address the situation. Stay calm and focus on carrying out the subsequent steps.
• Drink water: Since tobacco is literally inside your body now, the next thing you must do is dilute it to somehow minimize its harmful effects. One way to do it is to drink water. You can also drink other fluids as long as they are not caffeinated and alcoholic. 
• Seek medical help: The effect of tobacco from one person to another may vary. Hence, you should watch for signs of nicotine poisoning like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, increased heart rate, or difficulty breathing. If you experience these signs, then you must seek medical attention immediately. 

Following these steps can help you or someone else who has accidentally ingested tobacco. Remember, every second counts, so stay focused and follow these steps to avoid making the situation worse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you swallow chewing tobacco?

No, you can’t. Swallowing chewing tobacco may only harm you since its tobacco juices contain a high amount of harmful chemicals that will only irritate the digestive system and increase your risk of nicotine poisoning. Swallowing tobacco likewise increases your chance of developing long-term health issues like cancer and stomach problems.

What does chewing tobacco do to your stomach?

Chewing tobacco can irritate the stomach lining, which leads to nausea, ulcers, and digestive discomfort. This is all because of the nicotine and other chemicals that come from the tobacco juices that can disrupt normal stomach function.

Is chewing tobacco bad for your throat?

Yes. Chewing tobacco is bad for your throat as it exposes sensitive tissues to carcinogens and irritants, causing inflammation, sores, and an elevated risk of throat cancer. Prolonged exposure to tobacco chemicals can damage your throat over time, leading to chronic health problems.

Can you chew tobacco and not spit?

No. The tobacco juice from chew tobacco contains nicotine and other harmful chemicals. If you don’t spit it and swallow the juice instead, it only exposes your digestive system to the toxins, causing nicotine poisoning and digestive issues.

What happens if you swallow chewing tobacco?

If you swallow chewing tobacco, it only puts you at risk of nicotine poisoning, causing symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Doing it may also irritate your stomach and digestive system, causing discomfort. 

Is tobacco bad for you if you eat it?

Absolutely. Eating tobacco alone is harmful due to the toxic chemicals it contains, causing nicotine poisoning, stomach irritation, and long-term health risks like cancer. When you ingest nicotine from tobacco, your body absorbs it more rapidly, increasing your risk of overdose.

Summary

A few tobacco users may be swallowing the juices from chewing tobacco, but it’s generally not recommended as they could affect your health negatively. Tobacco juices, as we’ve discussed, contain high amounts of nicotine and other harmful chemicals, which aren’t meant to pass through your digestive tract and other body systems directly.

Smokeless tobacco products may be useful in alleviating your habit of smoking, but they are still not completely safe. If you want to be completely free from tobacco use, the best thing you can do is to opt for nicotine replacement therapy. Things like nicotine lozenges, nicotine gum, and even nicotine pouches may be useful in reducing your tobacco dependence and nicotine addiction.

You can learn how to quit chewing tobacco here.