[Avodah] Snuff (tobacco/shmek tabak) on Pesach

[SBA]

From: "A & C Walters" <>
Regarding the psak in MB 467:33 regarding if it?s mutar to use snuff on
Pesach, he concludes: one should inquire from the experts/manufacturers
 if they do this (i.e. add chometz to the snuff)

Therefore, I wrote to Wilson?s, who is the biggest snuff manufacturer and
asked them:     They replied:
We have been studying your Wikipedia definition of Chametz and conclude that
there is nothing in our snuffs that could form any part of it.
-
 My question is: can one be soimech on them, or not
>>

My question is, are you allowed to snort the stuff all year.

In Australia (and several other countries) it has been a banned for a number
of years - as it is known to cause cancer.

>>> Legislative controls  Australia
Smokeless tobacco is banned in Australia. First to act were a number of
states; then a ban was placed on the products federally in 1991.
During the second half of the 1980s, Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria
and South Australia took independent action. On the basis of nicotine
content, the Tasmanian and Western Australian governments added smokeless
tobacco products (excluding nasal snuff) to Schedule 4 of their Poisons
Lists..Victoria banned manufacture and sales of smokeless tobacco and nasal
snuff under the Tobacco Act (1987). ...
The Commission listed the following summary of reasons for their
recommendation

Oral snuffs
The Commission is persuaded that the scientific evidence on the existence of
a causal relationship between the use of oral snuff and the incidence of
oral and other cancers is of sufficient weight to support a ban on those
products.
This conclusion is based on:
 the strength of the epidemiological evidence in support of a significant
positive association between the use of oral snuffs and the development of
oral cancer;
 the evidence in relation to the carcinogenic properties of nitrosamines to
the effect that
- nitrosamines are present to a significant degree in smokeless tobacco
products;
- nitrosamines are powerful animal carcinogens; and
- nitrosamines have the capacity to cause cancer in humans.
...A permanent ban was finally placed on the supply of chewing tobacco and
oral snuff in Australia on April 17 1991, by the Federal Minister for
Justice and Consumer Affairs, Senator Tate.(4) A corporation found selling
the products may incur a maximum penalty of $100,000, and an individual
found selling smokeless tobacco can be fined up to $20,000.(4)

Overseas
Bans have been placed on smokeless tobacco products in a number of
countries, including Israel, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore,
Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab
Emirates
In May 1992, European Community (EC) health ministers agreed to ban the
supply of certain types of oral tobacco, namely moist snuff.
Countries which have introduced mandatory health warnings on packets,
advertising bans, or other forms of restriction on smokeless tobacco include
Canada, Iceland, India, Sweden and the United States
http://www.quit.org.au/quit/FandI/fandi/c09s4.htm

>From the US National Cancer Institute:

Smokeless Tobacco and Cancer: Questions and Answers

Key Points
Snuff is a finely ground or shredded tobacco that is either sniffed through
the nose or placed between the cheek and gum. Chewing tobacco is used by
putting a wad of tobacco inside the cheek (see Question 1).
Chewing tobacco and snuff contain 28 cancer-causing agents (see Question 2).
Smokeless tobacco users have an increased risk of developing cancer of the
oral cavity (see Question 3).
...
What is smokeless tobacco?
There are two types of smokeless tobacco--snuff and chewing tobacco. Snuff,
a finely ground or shredded tobacco, is packaged as dry, moist, or in
sachets (tea bag-like pouches). Typically, the user places a pinch or dip
between the cheek and gum. Chewing tobacco is available in loose leaf, plug
(plug-firm and plug-moist), or twist forms, with the user putting a wad of
tobacco inside the cheek. ...

What harmful chemicals are found in smokeless tobacco?
Chewing tobacco and snuff contain 28 carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).
The most harmful carcinogens in smokeless tobacco are the tobacco-specific
nitrosamines (TSNAs). They are formed during the growing, curing,
fermenting, and aging of tobacco. TSNAs have been detected in some smokeless
tobacco products at levels many times higher than levels of other types of
nitrosamines that are allowed in foods, such as bacon and beer.
Other cancer-causing substances in smokeless tobacco include N-nitrosamino
acids, volatile N-nitrosamines, benzo(a)pyrene, volatile aldehydes,
formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, hydrazine, arsenic, nickel,
cadmium, benzopyrene, and polonium-210.
All tobacco, including smokeless tobacco, contains nicotine, which is
addictive. The amount of nicotine absorbed from smokeless tobacco is 3 to 4
times the amount delivered by a cigarette. Nicotine is absorbed more slowly
from smokeless tobacco than from cigarettes, but more nicotine per dose is
absorbed from smokeless tobacco than from cigarettes. Also, the nicotine
stays in the bloodstream for a longer time.

What cancers are caused by or associated with smokeless tobacco use?
Smokeless tobacco users increase their risk for cancer of the oral cavity.
Oral cancer can include cancer of the lip, tongue, cheeks, gums, and the
floor and roof of the mouth.
People who use oral snuff for a long time have a much greater risk for
cancer of the cheek and gum than people who do not use smokeless tobacco.
The possible increased risk for other types of cancer from smokeless tobacco
is being studied.

What are some of the other ways smokeless tobacco can harm users' health?
Some of the other effects of smokeless tobacco use include addiction to
nicotine, oral leukoplakia (white mouth lesions that can become cancerous),
gum disease, and gum recession (when the gum pulls away from the teeth).
Possible increased risks for heart disease, diabetes, and reproductive
problems are being studied.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/smokeless


>From the BBC:
Increased snuff cancer threat

Snorting tobacco in the form of snuff is even more risky than previously
thought, research suggests.
Although perhaps not as popular as it was in previous centuries, snuff has
enjoyed something of a resurgence in some countries in recent years. It has
also been touted as a safer, and perhaps more socially acceptable,
alternative to cigarette-smoking, and even an aid to quitting.
However, preliminary results from a team of researchers examining native
American women who take snuff suggest that its carcinogenic effects may have
been underestimated. .....Most people associate the practice of snuff-taking
with older people, but it has been increasing among the young, although it
is still tiny in comparison with cigarette smoking.
...Proponents of snuff suggest that it is the burning of tobacco in
cigarettes and pipes which releases the carcinogens.
It has previously, however been associated with an increased risk of nasal
cancer.    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/737840.stm
===

Having many times seen some alteh Yid pass around his tabik pishkeh in
Shul on Shabbos, I always wonder what exactly is the great pleasure of
sticking this stuff up your nose - which usually culminates in an almighty
sneezy eruption?

And is it really such a great Mitzvah to be spreading all those germs
throughout the Shul?

SBA