PUNE: Consuming chewing tobacco alone may not be very harmful for people. Only when blended with the other substances like slick lime and betel nut, chewing tobacco becomes harmful and causes oral cancer, a top US–based expert in oral cancer said here on Sunday.

"If you are just chewing tobacco, the likelihood of getting affected by oral cancer is lesser, when compared to its consumption with the several additives that makes it lethal. It is important that the treatment procedures and government policies take care of this aspect," Dr Diane Stern told Sakal Times. Dr Stern is the Professor, department of diagnostic sciences, Nova Southeast University School of Dental Medicine, Florida, USA.

She was speaking on the sidelines of the two–day '12th National post graduate convention, Pune,' organised by Dr D Y Patil Dental College and Hospital. Dr Stern delivered a talk on 'Advances diagnostic and treatment modalities of fibrosseous diseases and bone pathologies'.

Recently, the Maharashtra government banned the sale of gutka, which is a commercially manufactured "pan masala" mix, marketed as a mouth freshener, stimulant, oral cleanser, and digestive aid. It is a blend of powdered chewing tobacco, areca nut (betel nut), lime, as well as preservatives, perfumes, and flavorings such as menthol, which cause oral cancer.

Oral cancer is the fifth most common cancer world wide. Tobacco use has been estimated to account for 30 per cent of the worldwide cancer burden, researchers have found. In India there are 75000–80000 new cases of oral cancer each year.

The ban on gutka is expected to stem the rot. But the US expert is not very sure whether a ban would have the desired impact.

"People to tend to find their way out in acquiring banned substances. They are ready to pay a premium for it, which encourages black marketing – which is another social evil. A better option could be banning the additives used along with the chewing tobacco," she said.