I know smoking's bad for you, but I chew tobacco. Isn't that less harmful?
No. There is no such thing as “harmless” tobacco. Smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco, contains at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals, so, like cigarettes, it’s also really bad for your health. If you use smokeless tobacco, you’re still at risk for different kinds of cancers. Using smokeless tobacco can cause heart disease and gum disease as well.
By chewing, you’re more likely to get some kind of cancer of the throat or mouth than people who don’t chew.
Chewing tobacco also stains your teeth, makes your breath funky and causes mouth sores.