Snuff (tobacco)
Snuff is a form of smokeless tobacco derived from ground or pulverized tobacco leaves. It is designed for inhalation or "snuffing" into the nasal cavity, which provides a quick hit of nicotine and a long-lasting aromatic scent, particularly if the tobacco has been mixed with a flavoring agent. Snuff is traditionally sniffed lightly after a pinch of it is placed on the back of the hand, held pinched between the thumb and index finger, or delivered through a specially made snuffing device.
History[edit | edit source]
The practice of snuffing, or inhaling tobacco smoke, dates back to the early indigenous populations of North and South America. However, it was not until the 17th century, following the European colonization of the Americas, that the use of snuff became widespread in Europe.
Production and Usage[edit | edit source]
Snuff production involves a specific process. First, the tobacco leaves are carefully selected and harvested. Then, they are ground into a fine powder. Often, this powder is then combined with various flavoring agents, ranging from simple, natural flavors to more complex, synthetic ones.
Usage of snuff typically involves placing a pinch of the powder on the back of the hand or between the thumb and index finger. From there, the user swiftly inhales the snuff into their nasal cavity. Some users employ a snuffing device for this process.
Health Implications[edit | edit source]
While snuff is tobacco-based and, as such, contains the addictive substance nicotine, it does not carry the same risks as smoking tobacco, as it does not involve combustion. However, it is not without health risks. Prolonged use can lead to nicotine addiction and has been associated with an increased risk of certain types of nasal and sinus cancers.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Smokeless Tobacco and Some Tobacco-Specific N-Nitrosamines. Lyon (FR): International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2007. (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, No. 89.) Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK326497/
| Snuff (tobacco) Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
