[Semaphor]

> Nicotine is a known carcinogen

Is it? All I can find is that it promotes tumor growth if the tumor is already there but doesn't cause them by itself.

>> I'm harming nobody but myself with it. >You cannot back that up with evidence. This is your guess, and it could be wrong.

Clearstream [1] was done and at least one other study (can't remember the name atm). Nothing completely conclusive but at least it points towards it being rather safe.

[1] http://clearstream.flavourart.it/site/?p=1014&lang=en

[humbledrone]

> Is it?

I may have been too conclusive there; the CDC only says:

"Nicotine is a teratogen (capable of causing birth defects). Other developmental toxicity or reproductive toxicity risks are unknown. The information about nicotine as a carcinogen is inconclusive"

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_297500...

[Semaphor]

Yeah, I wouldn't say that Nicotine is not a toxic/dangerous substance, it certainly is :)

[thaumasiotes]

> All I can find is that it promotes tumor growth if the tumor is already there but doesn't cause them by itself.

What's the carcinogen in chewing tobacco?

Also, the idea "it's only harmful if cancer is already present" can be weak; consider prostate cancer, which is present in all men.

[Semaphor]

Not to forget that you don't always know you have cancer. So you might cut into your time where it's still easily treatable.