Intended for healthcare professionals

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Rapid response to:

Research

Use of smokeless tobacco and risk of myocardial infarction and stroke: systematic review with meta-analysis

BMJ 2009; 339 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b3060 (Published 19 August 2009) Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b3060

Rapid Response:

Smokeless tobacco is far less hazardous alternative to cigarettes

If the attributable risk estimates for fatal stroke and heart disease
found by this study are correct, the
overall mortality risk from using smokeless tobacco products would be 4%-
5% of those from cigarette smoking, or 95%-96% lower risk.

As such, this study confirms the findings by Rodu and Godshall
http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/3/1/37
that cigarette smokers can sharply reduce their mortality risks by
switching to smokeless tobacco products.

Unfortunately, the authors of this study failed to acknowledge that
smokeless tobacco users face significantly fewer mortality risks for
stroke and MI (and overall mortality) than cigarette smokers.

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

22 August 2009
William T Godshall
Executive Director, Smokefree Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, PA USA 15218