Oral cancer and tobacco: developments in harm reduction

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is associated with the use of tobacco products. The predominant addictive substance in tobacco is nicotine, however, the major carcinogenic substances are in the other components of the tobacco leaf. The highest risk from tobacco use arises from combustion in the form of cigarettes. While cigarette consumption remains prevalent in the developing world, in the UK the rates of smoking are falling. In Sweden, modified smokeless tobacco in the form of snus has been available for many years and has contributed to reduced levels of smoking. In high income countries, new forms of tobacco consumption and nicotine delivery products have been developed over the last few years. These include heat-not-burn cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, and these products are now being actively marketed by many companies, including the tobacco industry. This paper reviews this changing pattern of tobacco and nicotine consumption and the current evidence regarding the risk of these products causing oral cancer.