Researchers at the University of Minnesota have determined that (S)-NNN, a nitrosamine compound found in chewing tobacco and snuff, leads to an increased risk for oral cancer. While nitrosamines are present in many foods, including beer and bacon, the levels are significantly higher in smokeless tobacco products, raising concerns and leading to suggestions that (S)-NNN should either be banned or strictly regulated.
While this study has not yet been conducted on humans (preliminary findings from research using rodents was presented yesterday, August 22, 2012, at the American Chemical Societ's annual meeting), it certainly merits further investigation, considering that "roughly 9 million Americans use smokeless tobacco products."
The complete news release is available here.
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