Extract from a letter to ‘The Society of Snuff Grinders, Blenders and Purveyors’ from the ‘Cancer Research Campaign’ dated 8^th March. 1985.

Although as you point out, there are certain types of so-called snuff used in some parts of the world that do carry a risk of nasal cancer, there is no evidence of any association with cancer or other health risk in the snuff produced in this country.

For this reason, snuff seems an entirely acceptable substitute for cigarette smoking and could be recommended particularly for addicted cigarette smokers since if they could substitute snuff taking for cigarette smoking, they would greatly reduce the risk to their health. There is some general reluctance about promoting any habit-forming behaviour among young people but if adults are already smokers, any safe means of helping them to stop is to be welcomed.

M. A. H. Russell, Addiction Research Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, The MaudsleyHospital, Denmark Hill, London.

If the smokers of Britain switched from cigarettes to snuff or nicotine chewing gum, 55,000 fewer of them would die each year from lung cancer or chronic bronchitis. This is because 90% of the deaths from lung cancer (34,000 per year) and chronic bronchitis (28,000 per year) are attributable to smoking. The damage is done by inhaling tobacco smoke and this would not occur with use of snuff or nicotine chewing gum. Lung cancer and chronic bronchitis could be prevented equally well by giving up smoking or, better still, never starting it.

Extract from a report by Dr. M.A.H. Russell

Published in ‘The British Medical Journal’ of 26^th September, 1981

Switching from cigarettes to snuff would substantially reduce the risk of lung cancer, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly coronary heart disease as well.

Extract from a report by Dr. M. A. H. Russell

and others published in ‘The Lancet’ of 1^st March, 1980

Our findings suggest that a new age for snuff is a feasible alternative to cigarette smoking. Snuff could save more lives and avoid more ill-health than any other preventative measure likely to be available to developed nations well into the 21^st century.