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Because most of the more serious tobacco related health
effects occur after decades of use, research tends to concentrate on the older
user. The major danger
that accompanies tobacco use earlier in life is not so much health related but
rather the possibility that they will continue to use tobacco. Whatever we write, many young people will try
tobacco and some of them will quit of their own accord and others will not.
We understand the concern that our message
might lead some people to use smokeless tobacco, people who might otherwise
never would have used any tobacco but we cannot control that. We do not promote smokeless tobacco as a safe
product but simply as a safer alternative for smokers.
Most of our readers reside in areas where
minors cannot legally purchase tobacco products of any kind. This is as it should be. If, as some minors
do, they illegally procure and use tobacco, better even then that they use the
safer rather than the more dangerous product.
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