Why Do People Chew Tobacco? 7 Reasons and the Real Risks

By Dr. Brent Agin, MD, founder and creator of TeaZa® · Updated October 2026

Millions of people chew tobacco or dip — on job sites, in deer stands, in dugouts and on long drives. If you've ever wondered why people chew tobacco, the answer is a mix of chemistry, habit and culture. Here's what's really going on, how chewing tobacco is used, and what it does to your body.

What is chewing tobacco and how do people use it?

Smokeless tobacco is tobacco that's chewed or held in the mouth instead of smoked, and the nicotine is absorbed through the tissues of the mouth, according to the Mayo Clinic. The main types:

• Chewing tobacco: loose leaves, braided twists or compressed plugs, placed between the cheek and gum.
• Dip (moist snuff): finely ground tobacco held behind the lip or between the gum and cheek.
• Snus: a moist snuff sold loose or in small pouches.

Users either spit out the tobacco juice or swallow it. (Here's what happens if you swallow dip spit.)

Why do people chew tobacco? 7 common reasons

1. The nicotine

Nicotine is a stimulant. A dip can bring a quick lift — and then the body starts wanting it again. People who use smokeless tobacco may take in as much nicotine as people who smoke, or more, according to the Mayo Clinic. That's what turns an occasional dip into a daily habit.

2. To fight fatigue and boredom

Long drives, long shifts, slow afternoons. Many people say they reach for a dip to stay alert or pass the time. A research review of why people use smokeless tobacco found fatigue and boredom among the most common reasons (Solhi et al., 2021).

3. To deal with stress

Dip can feel like it takes the edge off. But much of that relief is just easing the nicotine craving that built up since the last one — so the habit keeps itself going.

4. The habit and oral fixation

Over time, the feeling of something in your lip becomes part of the routine: after meals, in the truck, at the game. For many people this is the hardest part to give up — it's called oral fixation.

5. Family, friends and culture

Many people start because the people around them dip — family members, teammates, coworkers. Chew has long been part of the culture around baseball, hunting, fishing, ranching and the trades.

6. Places where you can't smoke

Smokeless tobacco can be used where smoking isn't allowed — at work, indoors, on a job site — which makes it a go-to for people who can't step away for a cigarette.

7. The belief that it's safer than smoking

Some people switch to dip because they think it's a safer choice than cigarettes. It isn't. Smokeless tobacco is not harmless and is not a safe substitute for smoking, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Does chewing tobacco give you energy?

Nicotine is a stimulant, so a dip can feel like a short boost. But it doesn't give your body real energy — and as nicotine wears off, cravings and irritability set in, which sends you back for another. Over time, dependence takes over. If you want a lift without nicotine, a nicotine-free pouch with natural caffeine is one option (see below).

What chewing tobacco does to your body

According to the CDC and the Mayo Clinic, smokeless tobacco:

• Causes cancer of the mouth, esophagus and pancreas
• Can cause gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss
• Can cause white or gray patches in the mouth (leukoplakia)
• Increases the risk of death from heart disease and stroke
• During pregnancy, increases the risk of stillbirth and low birth weight
• Contains nicotine, which is addictive

Keep the routine, lose the tobacco

If what you'd miss most is the routine — the pinch, the feeling in your lip — a nicotine-free, tobacco-free pouch can fill that spot.

That's why I created TeaZa®. It's an herbal pouch that goes in your lip like dip, with no spitting needed. Each pouch is about 0.7 grams — roughly 2 to 4 times the size of a typical nicotine pouch — and lasts about 1–3 hours. TeaZa is made in the USA in a GMP facility and third-party tested.

• TeaZa Energy — about 50mg of natural caffeine per pouch from green tea and yerba mate, for the times you'd reach for a dip to stay alert.
• TeaZa Chill — caffeine-free, made with chamomile, passion flower and magnolia bark.

Learn more about whether TeaZa is safe and what fake dip is, or compare chewing tobacco alternatives.

Ready to quit?

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to quit dipping, or see what happens when you quit dipping. Free help is available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Frequently asked questions

Why do people chew tobacco?

Mostly for the nicotine, which acts as a stimulant and is addictive. Other common reasons include fighting fatigue or boredom, stress, habit, family and friends who dip, being in places where smoking isn't allowed, and the mistaken belief that it's safer than smoking.

Does chewing tobacco give you energy?

Nicotine can feel like a short boost, but it doesn't provide real energy, and cravings return as it wears off.

Is chewing tobacco safer than smoking?

No. Smokeless tobacco is not a safe substitute for smoking. It causes cancers of the mouth, esophagus and pancreas, gum disease and tooth loss, and raises the risk of heart disease and stroke.

How do people chew tobacco?

Chewing tobacco is placed between the cheek and gum; dip is held behind the lip or between the gum and cheek. The juice is usually spit out.

Is TeaZa safe?

TeaZa has no tobacco and no nicotine, and it's made in the USA in a GMP facility and third-party tested. TeaZa Energy contains about 50mg of caffeine per pouch. If you're pregnant, nursing, on medication or have a medical condition, check with your doctor first.

Can TeaZa help me quit chewing tobacco?

Many people find that replacing the habit makes it easier to stop using chewing tobacco. TeaZa is not a medication or an FDA-approved smoking-cessation product; if you need help with nicotine withdrawal, talk to your healthcare provider.

About the author: Dr. Brent Agin, MD, is the founder and creator of TeaZa®. He developed TeaZa's nicotine-free, tobacco-free pouches to give people a healthier way to replace the pouch, dip and vaping habit.