Heart risk from smokeless tobacco

Thursday August 20th, 2009

People who use smokeless tobacco products face a slightly increased risk of having a fatal heart attack or stroke, researchers warned yesterday.

A smokeless tobacco product called snus, which is placed in the mouth, is especially popular in Sweden.

A study, published on-line by the British Medical Journal, suggests it is responsible for more than five per cent of deaths from heart attack and stroke in Sweden.

The products are also legal in the USA and the new study claims they account for half a per cent of heart attacks deaths in the USA and 1.7 per cent of stroke deaths.

The conclusions from an analysis of 11 studies carried out in Sweden and North America by Dr Paolo Boffeta, of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France.

The researchers say the increased risk of heart disease and stroke is small - but the findings are "robust".

They write: "Given that these products are being promoted as 'safer' alternatives to smoking cigarettes, the number of individuals using them is set to increase, says the study.

"If the association is real, its public health and clinical implications might be substantial."

British Medical Journal on-line August 20 2009

Tags: Drug and Alcohol Abuse | Europe | Heart Health | North America

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