Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
HOUSTON, Apr 04, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A University of Texas study suggests information on the Internet about the health risks of smokeless tobacco usually overstates the risk.
The study found of 316 government, health advice, and advocacy Web sites, most suggest smokeless tobacco use is as harmful as cigarette smoking. However, studies have concluded the risk from smokeless tobacco is much smaller than cigarette smoking.
Researchers from the University of Texas School of Medicine Center for Clinical Research and Evidence Based Medicine and School of Public Health said the public is unlikely to find accurate information on the comparative risks of smokeless tobacco and cigarettes, leading to consumer misconceptions.
"Smokers can dramatically cut their risks by switching to smokeless tobacco, a strategy called 'harm reduction', but they have little chance of learning this," said lead study author Carl Phillips. "Similarly, authoritative organizations are telling smokeless tobacco users, in effect, 'you might as well smoke,' a public health message that actually encourages people to switch to a much more dangerous product."
The study appears in the Open Access journal BMC Public Health,
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
