Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-03
**Lead**
A comprehensive global study has estimated that chewing tobacco and other smokeless tobacco products caused approximately 250,000 deaths worldwide in a single year, according to findings published in a leading medical journal. The research, which draws on data from the Global Burden of Disease study, highlights a persistent and often overlooked public health crisis that extends far beyond the well-documented harms of cigarette smoking. For the United Kingdom, where smokeless tobacco use is less prevalent than in South Asia but still present among certain communities, the findings serve as a stark reminder that no form of tobacco is safe.
**Contexto**
Smokeless tobacco encompasses a range of products that are consumed without combustion, including chewing tobacco, snus, snuff, and gutka. These products are particularly popular in parts of South Asia, where they are often used as a cheaper and socially acceptable alternative to cigarettes. The study, which analysed mortality data from 2019, found that the vast majority of deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, with India alone accounting for more than half of the global toll. However, the research also noted that smokeless tobacco use is not confined to developing nations. In the United Kingdom, while overall tobacco use has declined in recent decades, certain ethnic minority groups—particularly those of South Asian heritage—continue to use chewing tobacco and related products at higher rates. Data from the NHS Health Survey for England has previously indicated that smokeless tobacco use is more common among men of Bangladeshi and Pakistani origin, with some estimates suggesting that up to one in five men in these communities use such products regularly.
The health risks associated with smokeless tobacco are well documented. The products contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, as well as a range of carcinogens that have been linked to cancers of the mouth, oesophagus, and pancreas. Unlike cigarettes, smokeless tobacco does not produce second-hand smoke, which has led some to mistakenly believe it is a safer alternative. The study’s authors emphasise that this perception is dangerously misleading. The 250,000 deaths recorded in the analysis include fatalities from oral cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions directly attributable to smokeless tobacco use. The research also found that the burden of disease falls disproportionately on men, who account for roughly 85 per cent of the deaths, reflecting higher usage rates among males in most regions.
**Analise**
The implications of this study for the United Kingdom are significant, even if the absolute number of deaths is lower than in high-prevalence countries. Public health authorities in the UK have made considerable progress in reducing smoking rates through taxation, advertising bans, and smoking cessation services. However, smokeless tobacco has often received less attention in these campaigns. The study’s findings suggest that targeted interventions are needed to address the specific cultural and behavioural factors that drive smokeless tobacco use among minority communities. For example, gutka and paan masala are often sold in ethnic grocery stores and may not be subject to the same packaging and labelling regulations as cigarettes. The UK government has taken some steps in recent years, including a ban on the sale of chewing tobacco to minors, but advocates argue that more comprehensive measures—such as plain packaging and health warnings in multiple languages—could help reduce consumption.
Beyond the immediate health impact, the study also raises broader questions about the global tobacco control agenda. While international treaties such as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control have focused heavily on reducing smoking, smokeless tobacco has been comparatively neglected. The World Health Organization has called for stronger regulation of all tobacco products, but enforcement remains patchy, particularly in countries where the tobacco industry has significant political influence. For the UK, which has positioned itself as a global leader in tobacco control, the study provides an opportunity to reassess its own policies and to support international efforts to curb smokeless tobacco use. The findings also underscore the importance of continued investment in public health research, particularly into the long-term effects of novel nicotine products such as snus and nicotine pouches, which are increasingly marketed as harm reduction tools.
**Fontes**
This report is based on findings from a peer-reviewed study on smokeless tobacco mortality, published in a leading medical journal and drawing on data from the Global Burden of Disease study. Additional context on UK-specific usage patterns was informed by the NHS Health Survey for England and previous reports from Public Health England. No individuals were interviewed for this article, and all figures cited are derived from the published research.