Posted by Joanne Mellor
Individuals who use smokeless tobacco are being encouraged to give it up, due to the fact it increases their chances of developing mouth cancer.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has called for dental professionals to play a key role in discouraging people from using smokeless tobacco, which is popular among those of south Asian origin.
Nicotine addiction, mouth and oral cancer, periodontal disease, heart attacks and strokes are just some of the health issues associated with the use of smokeless tobacco.
Chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation Dr Nigel Carter stated smokeless tobacco is an area many dental specialists are not aware of.
“The current draft public health guidance is a positive step to bring greater knowledge and understanding,” he said, noting users of the tobacco are approaching four times more likely to suffer from mouth cancer.
According to a recent prediction by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, there will be a 23 per cent rise in the number of mouth cancer cases by 2030, when compared with figures from 2008.