Ask The Expert
Other Health Issues

Although chewing tobacco is not associated with lung cancer, it is associated with an increased incidence of oral cancers. I was unable to locate a reference providing the sugar content of chewing tobacco, however, in an interview from the web site Diabetes Health, April, 2001, James Guggenheimer, D.D.S., stated that some forms of smokeless tobacco (particularly chewing tobacco, but not snuff) contain sugar, which could affect blood sugar levels. Furthermore, smokeless tobacco in the mouth causes irritation and recession of the gums, which can lead to periodontal disease.

Smoking has such extensive and significant effects on people with diabetes that the American Diabetes Association sends a strong message urging smoking cessation, as well as prevention – i.e. don't even think of starting!

Negative Effects of Smoking with Diabetes:

• While smoking can decrease appetite and help with weight loss, it can raise blood glucose-nicotine has a complex effect on insulin absorption and insulin resistance.
• It increases your chance of blood clots-leading to a heart attack or stroke.
• It increases your blood fats, adding to an increased risk of heart disease. According to the American Diabetes Association web site, people with diabetes who smoke are 3 times more likely to die of heart disease than are non-smoking people with diabetes.
• It narrows your blood vessels-thus also significantly contributing to high blood pressure, heart disease, and poor circulation in your legs.
• It increases your risk for neuropathy (nerve damage) and nephropathy (kidney damage).
• It can cause impotence.
• It increases your risk of limited joint mobility - this is a complication in which the skin of the hands thickens and the finger joints ache.
• It increases the risk of stillbirth or miscarriages in pregnant women.
• There is some evidence that smoking may also be associated with the development of type 2 diabetes.

Why Smoke?

After all these negative effects, one would wonder why anyone would smoke. But unfortunately there are physical and psychological factors tied to smoking: many people find it relaxing, and/or stimulating; more importantly, it is highly addictive, and quitting smoking can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Quit NOW!

There are so many resources available to help you quit smoking, that I urge you not only to read the details below, but also to discuss this with your diabetes team.