Introduction

This chapter gives an overview of the book-its objectives, scope, organization, and place in the literature. In the past 20. years, there have been dramatic changes in the policies and regulation of tobacco, most directed at cigarettes but some at other products, including smokeless tobacco (ST). Existing legislation is reviewed. A stated goal of legislation is to use science-based results to inform regulations that serve the public health. ST carries acknowledged risks of addiction, mouth, head, and neck cancer, and cardiovascular and reproductive effects, but less overall risk than cigarettes, and should be regulated accordingly. The beginning chapters review the various ST products, their epidemiology and pharmacology. One chapter covers the diagnosis and treatment of ST addiction. Other chapters review chemical analysis of products and biomarkers of consumption. A chapter is devoted to the carcinogenic mechanisms from components of ST. The final chapter discusses regulatory policy.