They’ve Been Around for Decades—So Have the Warnings

Cigarettes, cigars, and chew are nothing new—and neither are the dangers they pose. These traditional tobacco products have been on the market for generations, leaving a long, deadly legacy of addiction, disease, and loss. The health risks are well-known and well-documented—from cancer and heart disease to breathing problems and early death.

If you think you know everything about these products, think again. Explore the facts—and find out why there’s no such thing as a “safer” way to use tobacco.

Cigarettes Still Kill Hookah Isn't Harmless Chew, Dip, and Snus Do Damage

Quick Quiz: How Much Do You Really Know?

Take this short quiz and uncover the truth behind old-school smoke, chew, and newer pouch products. 

Cigarettes Still Kill

As Deadly as Ever

Cigarettes are the deadliest nicotine product on the market. Despite flashy packaging and slick marketing, they kill more than 5,100 Coloradans every year (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2024). Tobacco companies pushed menthols and flavored products at young people, Black communities, and other targeted groups—and still do.

Here’s what’s inside each puff:

  • Nicotine: Hooks fast. Hits your brain in seconds.
  • Lead: Heavy metal. Dangerous at any level.
  • Carbon monoxide: Blocks your blood from carrying oxygen.
  • Formaldehyde: Same stuff that preserves dead bodies.
  • Arsenic: Rat poison. Enough said.

Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body. It causes cancer, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.1

Menthol Smokes Hit Harder

Menthol covers up the harsh taste, making it easier to inhale deeply—and harder to quit. Tobacco companies target menthol ads at young people and communities of color, especially Black Americans. Menthol smokers often stay hooked longer and face more severe health outcomes.2

Hookah Isn’t Harmless

Hookah started as a ritual practice in parts of Asia and the Middle East. Today, it pops up in lounges, parties, and college campuses across the U.S.

Many people think hookah smoke filters out toxins. It doesn’t. A typical hookah session delivers more smoke than a whole pack of cigarettes. That means more exposure to harmful chemicals, more carbon monoxide, and a higher risk of addiction.3

Even if you don’t smoke every day, that doesn’t mean your body gets a break. Hookah increases your risk of:

  • Heart disease
  • Lung damage
  • Infections from shared mouthpieces
  • Cancer from high heat and long exposure

Chew, Dip, and Snus Do Damage

Chew tobacco, dip and snus often get marketed as safer choices—but these products still carry real health risks.

Common types:

  • Chew: Loose-leaf tobacco you place between cheek and gum. You spit the juices.
  • Snus: Moist, pouch-style tobacco. You tuck it in your lip and swallow the juice.
  • Snuff: Fine powder tobacco. Some people inhale it. Some use it like chew.

People who chew often take in the same amount of nicotine as cigarette smokers. That keeps them addicted and exposed to cancer-causing chemicals.

Big Risks in Every Chew

Chew, dip, and snuff can lead to:

  • Mouth and throat cancer
  • Esophagus and pancreatic cancer
  • Tooth loss and gum disease
  • Bad breath and permanent teeth staining

Swallowing nicotine—even a small amount—can poison kids, pets, and adults. Symptoms can hit fast: nausea, seizures, fast heartbeat, and more. Keep chew locked up and call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) if anyone swallows it.