How to Dip Smokeless Tobacco

Smokeless, or dipping, tobacco is a common alternative to cigarettes and cigars. Instead of inhaling and blowing out smoke, which is more and more restricted across the country, you can get a nicotine fix by placing tobacco in your mouth and sucking on the juices. Keep in mind though that using smokeless tobacco can still have serious health risks cancers around your mouth, and other health problems like high blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceNational Cancer InstituteAn agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient supportGo to source} If you are determined to try it though, it is very simple to do.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Getting Ready to Dip Tobacco

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1
Be of legal age to purchase tobacco. Laws governing tobacco products cover smokeless tobacco. In December 2019, the federal minimum age was raised to 21 in all US states. ^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceUS Food and Drug AdministrationU.S. government agency responsible for promoting public healthGo to source}
- Smokeless tobacco is a legal product, but you don't want to enjoy it while breaking the law by pretending to be of age or purchasing it for someone who is underage.
2
Decide what kind of smokeless tobacco you want. There are a variety of smokeless products out there. Their use is pretty similar, so your preference will really come down to personal taste.
- Moist snuff. This tobacco has been fermented, aged, and finely chopped up. It is packed into tins. As the name suggests, this is slightly moistened, as opposed to dry snuff, which is powdery and can be taken by sniffing it into your nose. This is the most common form of dipping tobacco sold in the US, and the kind you are most likely to see in stores.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- Loose-leaf tobacco. Another common form of chewing tobacco, these leaves have been dried and fermented, then sold in foil packets.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- Plug tobacco. In this form, the tobacco has been packed tightly together with molasses, or some other adhesive, into a block. You'll either cut or bite off a piece of the block to use it. You may also find twist tobacco, which a similar form where the tobacco has been braided into long strands.
- Snus.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Lung AssociationNonprofit health organization dedicated to improving lung health through education, advocacy, and researchGo to source} This is a newer form, originally developed in Scandinavia. The tobacco is put in individual packets and may be flavored with a variety of sweeteners. There are differences between snus made in the United States compared to countries like Sweden, such as the amount of tobacco in a packet, which can lead to differences in physical effects on your mouth.
3
Get somewhere you can use the tobacco. Compared to smoking, there are fewer restrictions on where you can use smokeless tobacco. Because you are going to be spitting, though, you will want to be somewhere where you can do that politely, or at least have a bottle or something you can spit into.
- You don't want to be doing something physically active, as you'll want to avoid accidentally swallowing the tobacco or your spit. A relaxing activity like reading, watching television, or hanging out with friends, can be a good complement to dipping.
- Avoid doing other things with your mouth while dipping, like eating or drinking. You don't want to mix your food with the dip.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Dipping Your Tobacco

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Reach your thumb and forefinger into the tin or pouch, or break off a piece of your plug. If you are a beginner to dipping, your pinch really should just be a small amount between your thumb and forefinger, probably about the size of a quarter. As you get more used to the taste and strength, the size of your pinch can grow, depending on how long you want it to sit in your mouth and how strong of a dose of nicotine you are looking for.^{[6]XResearch source}
2
Place between your gum and cheek. Take your tobacco and put it down in your mouth between your gums and cheek of your lower lip. Pack tightly together so you don't lose any of the leaves, and accidentally swallow them.
- Snus packets can also be held in the upper lip. The effect is roughly the same, though you may create more juice in your lower lip.
3
Let the tobacco sit in your mouth. Chewing tobacco works because the nicotine seeps into your bloodstream through your gums, rather than by inhaling smoke. Dipping tobacco can just sit in your mouth as long as you can feel something coming from it. You can get up to several hours worth of nicotine from a pinch of chewing tobacco, much longer-lasting than a cigarette.^{[7]XResearch source}
- If the tobacco starts to get loose, and you are worried about swallowing, use your finger or tongue to tamp it down back into place.
4
Spit as necessary. Having something in your mouth will produce saliva, which will mix with the tobacco. You don't want to swallow this juice, because it is meant to be spit out.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source} If you are outside, you can just spit onto the ground, but if you are indoors, keep an empty water bottle to spit into.
- When using a spit bottle, it is better to replace the cap when you set it down. You don't want to accidentally knock it over and spill tobacco spit.
- Because the tobacco from snus packets can't get loose, the juice you make is meant to be swallowed. The flavoring used in snus can make it less irritating than juice from other forms of tobacco.
5
Throw out the tobacco. Do not swallow your tobacco. Once you are finished with the tobacco, either because you don't feel any nicotine or you are doing something that requires a clean mouth, take it out of your mouth. Grab the tobacco with your hand, pull it out, then throw it away. If you are near enough to a garbage can, you can also spit out your tobacco. There's no reason to keep the tobacco anymore.
- Rinse your mouth. After you spit your dip out, you may want to rinse your mouth to get rid of any excess tobacco. Don’t use your spit bottle for rinsing, and be careful not to swallow the water you rinse with.

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Tips

The cost of smokeless tobacco can really add up. Using a can per day could could almost $1,100 a year, so try to spread out your use and make the most of each can.
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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of How.com.vn readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on How.com.vn, please submit it in the field below.

If you're new to smokeless tobacco, start with small pinches for short periods. Building up slowly prevents nausea or dizziness some get when pushed too far, too fast. Everyone handles it differently, so carefully test your own tolerance.
When switching from cigs, don't expect an intense rush from smokeless varieties since the nicotine absorbs differently. Just focus on satisfying nicotine cravings safely. Higher nicotine bands can mimic smoking more closely.
If your chewing tobacco dries out mid-use, let it rehydrate under your tongue rather than adding liquids directly. Too much moisture makes placement tougher and spit out messier. Saliva reconstitutes it nicely.
Flavored pouches make for an easier introduction than loose leaves. The pouch makes placement a breeze, and the flavor helps override the tobacco taste. Once used to the effects, feel free to try other types.

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Warnings

Like cigarette smoking, dipping tobacco is addictive. While it can replace the nicotine in cigarettes (as much as 3 cigarettes worth for 30 minutes of dipping,^{[9]XResearch source}) there is no proof that it will help you quit smoking.
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