By Dr. Hitesh R. Singhavi, Head & Neck Cancer Surgeon
When we hear the word “tobacco,” most people immediately think of cigarettes. But there’s another silent killer in our homes, shops, and pockets — smokeless tobacco (SLT). In India, this includes gutkha, khaini, pan masala, mawa, mishri, and betel quid with tobacco. These products are chewed, sucked, or placed in the mouth — and they are causing massive harm.
As a cancer surgeon, I have witnessed firsthand the damage that SLT causes — especially in the mouths of young, otherwise healthy people. Let me explain why smokeless tobacco is not a “safer” alternative. In fact, it may be worse.
🚨 SLT Causes Oral Cancer — And Quickly
India sees the highest number of new oral cancer cases in the world, and smokeless tobacco is the biggest reason.
- A global study showed that people in South Asia who use SLT are 4.4 times more likely to get oral cancer.
- Gutkha users are at 8.6 times higher risk of oral cancer compared to non-users.
- Shockingly, women who chew tobacco also show high cancer risk. One large study from Mumbai found that 75% of screened women with tobacco habits had precancerous or cancerous changes in their mouth.
It’s not just “older people.” Oral cancer is now rising in young people in their 30s and 40s — likely due to factory-made products like gutkha that cause faster cancer development than traditional tobacco.
🛑 It’s Not Just Cancer — SLT Damages the Mouth Permanently
Smokeless tobacco doesn’t just cause cancer. It causes conditions that are painful, disfiguring, and permanent:
- Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF): A condition where your mouth becomes stiff and stops opening properly. It is irreversible and can ruin your quality of life.
- White patches (Leukoplakia), red patches (Erythroplakia), and pouch keratosis — all are signs of damage and can turn into cancer over time.
- Gum disease, tooth loss, and foul smell are just the beginning of a downward spiral in oral health.
❤️ SLT Harms Your Heart and Increases Risk of Heart Attack
You may think tobacco only affects the mouth — but the chemicals in SLT enter your bloodstream, damaging your heart, blood pressure, and blood vessels.
- It raises blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol, and inflammation.
- SLT users have higher chances of stroke and heart attacks, especially with long-term use.
- Even young users show signs of heart damage in medical studies.
🤰🏽 Pregnancy and SLT — A Dangerous Mix
Mothers, please take this seriously.
- Smokeless tobacco use during pregnancy increases risk of:
- Low birth weight
- Stillbirth
- High blood pressure in your child at 6 years
- Gestational diabetes
- One Australian study found that pregnant women using SLT had elevated sugar levels, harming both mother and baby.
📣 What Can You Do?
- Don’t wait for symptoms. If you or someone in your family uses any form of tobacco, especially gutkha or pan masala, get an oral screening done.
- Educate others — especially young boys and girls — that gutkha is NOT safe and can ruin lives.
- If you’re pregnant or planning a baby, quit SLT immediately.
- Help your loved ones find medical or psychological help to quit this addiction. There are now treatments and support systems available.
🔍 In Conclusion
Smokeless tobacco is not safe, not traditional, and certainly not harmless. It causes cancer, heart disease, pregnancy complications, and ruins lives.
Let’s stop normalizing its use.
Let’s protect our youth, our families, and our future.
If you or someone you know uses SLT, please talk to a doctor or visit a cancer screening center. Early detection can save your life.
Dr. Hitesh R. Singhavi
Head and Neck Cancer Surgeon
Dedicated to Conquering Oral Cancer in India