Many people across the globe smoke pipe tobacco, and this has been a practice for centuries. Pipes were used in ceremonies however they eventually became trendy for everyday use. Since the 1960’s smoking pipe tobacco has declined however it’s still used amongst 1.5% of tobacco smokers today. It’s crucial to be aware of the health risks associated with pipe tobacco and create a quit plan to improve your health.
Risks
- Cancer
- Nicotine addiction
- COPD
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Stroke
- Heart Disease
The Tobacco
Pipe tobacco uses a loose leaf tobacco that is commonly grown in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. It is commonly fire-cured, giving the tobacco its distinctive taste. The result of this curing process makes the tobacco low in sugar and high in nicotine. Most of the tobacco has a flavoring agent added to it, to give it a fragrance and flavor.
Addiction
In just one bowl of tobacco there is about 30 to 50 milligrams per gram of tobacco. Pipe tobacco smokers do not usually inhale the smoke like cigarette smokers, however some nicotine still gets into the blood stream through the linings of the mouth. There is a common misconception that since tobacco smoke is not inhaled it may be healthier posing less risks to the smokers, but this is not true. Smoking pipe tobacco still has the same risks as smoking cigarettes. It is important to think of your health and come up with quit plan so that you can live the best quality of life.
Reference: https://www.verywellmind.com/the-hazards-of-pipe-tobacco-4106637