Smokeless tobacco and areca nut: Fight nicotine addiction to stay away from oral cancer

Do you notice frequent mouth sores, gum problems, or difficulty swallowing? These could be symptoms linked to smokeless tobacco and areca nut use. Do you often find it hard to quit chewing or feel irritable when you haven't? These are signs of nicotine addiction, one of the most common outcomes of smokeless tobacco use. The consumption of smokeless tobacco and areca nut is often part of daily routines for many. However, the long-term harm to the body is undeniable.

If you have a persistent sore throat or trouble speaking, the symptoms could be early indicators of oral cancer caused by long-term use, says D Pooja Babbar, Consultant, Medical Oncology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram. “A recent study published in The Lancet Oncology highlights alarming statistics regarding oral cancer associated with smokeless tobacco and areca nut consumption, with India ranking as the highest in the world. These substances are commonly consumed in the forms of betel quid and gutka, and have become ingrained in the daily lives of many addicted users,” she says.

Here are 7 ways smokeless tobacco and areca nut harm the body, according to Dr Babbar:

• Oral cancer: Smokeless tobacco and areca nut contain carcinogens that significantly raise the risk of mouth, tongue, and throat cancer. Long-term use leads to abnormal tissue growth and cancerous cell mutations in the oral cavity.

• Gum diseases and tooth loss: The abrasive nature of areca nuts and the chemicals in smokeless tobacco damage soft tissues in the mouth, causing gum recession, periodontitis, and eventual tooth loss.

• Addiction and nicotine dependence: Smokeless tobacco contains high levels of nicotine, leading to strong addiction. Nicotine alters brain chemistry, making quitting difficult and triggering withdrawal symptoms.

• Heart diseases: Smokeless tobacco raises blood pressure and heart rate, placing additional stress on the cardiovascular system and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension over time.

• Gastrointestinal disorders: Chewing areca nuts with smokeless tobacco irritates the digestive tract, leading to ulcers, acid reflux, indigestion, and other long-term gastrointestinal issues.

• Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF): One of the most severe side effects of areca nut consumption is oral submucous fibrosis, which stiffens the soft tissues of the mouth, making it difficult to open the mouth or eat. This condition can eventually lead to cancer.

• Lung cancer: Though smokeless tobacco isn’t inhaled, its carcinogens, like nitrosamines, enter the bloodstream and increase the risk of lung cancer, even in long-term users who don’t smoke.