Catherine -- I don't know the literature on inhaling snuff which is raw tobacco, but it cannot be very good for you -- cancer of whatever tissues it reaches, to start with. My guess is that it is not more widespread because you have to overcome some aversions -- it must be quite a trick to learn to inhale it without sneezing, etc. You might turn them onto Swedish "snus" -- sucking tobacco, in a little teabag with the nitrosamines taken out, so that it has rather little adverse health effect (the Swedish authorities took the warning label off it). It is banned in the rest of the EU, on the theory that it might be attrcative to teenagers and that they might go on to cigarettes (although what studies there suggests this doesn't really happen). So there is a big argument about it, with the fervent anti-tobacco people very opposed to it, and the more harm reductionist like the director of ASH in the UK in favour of it. There was a set of articles and debates about it in Addiction a couple of years ago -- look for the name Gilljam. The European Court decisions on the ban are fun to read -- the Attorney-General's opinion solemnly discussing whether the distinction between sucking tobacco (illegal in the rest of the EU) and chewing tobacco depends on how it is actually used or on the intention of the manufacturer -- and deciding for the intention of the manufacturer. Let me know if you want more on this. If they really want more on health effects of inhaling snuff, I could put a query on the OTRU list for you. Robin -----Original Message----- From: Alcohol and Drugs History Society [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Catherine Carstairs Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 9:25 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: snuff Hi, My students had a question about the health effects of snuff (inhaled, dried tobacco). Are there any negative health effects of inhaling snuff? Why isn't it more widespread? Catherine Carstairs University of Guelph