The entities who are touting the use of smokeless tobacco as a 'less harmful' alternative to smoking, and anyone advocating spit tobacco as a safe cessation alternative to smoking need to look at 'real life' research. Given the well-documented negative health affects associated with smokeless tobacco use, its clear identification as a "gateway" drug in leading to other substance use, including cigarettes, and the availability of safe, over-the-counter, nitrosamine-free nicotine replacement products, it is clear that smokeless tobacco should never be suggested as an alternative to smoking cigarettes. Let's not let the industry undermine tobacco prevention and cessation efforts with their ploy to replace one harmful tobacco product to replace another!