The inside scoop on the stuff called snuff: an interview study of 94 adult male smokeless tobacco users

J Subst Abuse. 1990;2(1):77-85. doi: 10.1016/s0899-3289(05)80047-1.

Abstract

This interview study collected information from 94 adult males about a variety of factors related to their smokeless tobacco (ST) habit. Eighty-nine percent of this sample used moist snuff and most analyses focused on this group. Three measures of self-reported snuff use were intercorrelated and compared to a saliva cotinine assay. Correlations demonstrated potential usefulness of measures such as number of dips per day when biochemical measures are not practical. A majority (68%) of the Ss reported attempts to quit smokeless tobacco use, but relapsed from 1 to 3 months later. Ninety-six percent of snuff users reported awareness of cancer and other oral health risks and 56% reported an intention to quit in the next 12 months. A majority (67%) of subjects report receptivity to receiving advice to quit from medical and dental providers although only one-third had received such advice. The results are discussed in terms of designing an effective cessation intervention in dental clinics for ST users.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Cotinine / pharmacokinetics
  • Health Education
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plants, Toxic*
  • Risk Factors
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / prevention & control
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / psychology
  • Tobacco, Smokeless* / adverse effects

Substances

  • Cotinine