DoubleChecks

What was claimed

Chewing tobacco is linked to 250,000 deaths in a year and is a major cause of stroke and cancer according to a study.

Our verdict

Accurate

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation / GBD 2023 analysis and a recent Lancet Global Health report estimate ≈251,000 global deaths in 2023 attributable to chewing tobacco, consistent with the claim.

2 of 3 AI systems agree20 sources citedChecked Oct 2, 2026

Check your own claim

Paste any statement, headline, or AI answer — 3 independent AIs verify it in seconds, with sources.

Key findings

Chewing tobacco is linked to 250,000 deaths in a year.

Verified94%
2 of 3 AIs agree·Perplexity: Misleading

Chewing tobacco is a major cause of stroke and cancer according to a study.

Verified94%
All 4 AIs agree

Chewing tobacco is a major cause of cancer

Verified95%
1 AI checked

This is according to a study

Verified95%
1 AI checked

Verified against 20 sources

newser.commillenniumpost.intimesnownews.comwho.inttobaccoinaustralia.org.auwho.intfrontiersin.orgworld-heart-federation.orgtelegraph.co.ukpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govfda.govnida.nih.govbmjopen.bmj.comourworldindata.orgarchive.cdc.govoregon.govacademic.oup.comcancer.orgtobaccofreekids.orghealthdata.org

Detailed Analysis

The response is broadly supported, but the death count is slightly off. Current sources report about 251,000 deaths in 2023, not 250,000 exactly, and they also identify stroke and cancers as major outcomes linked to chewing tobacco. The claim is therefore directionally correct but numerically imprecise.

Why this verdict

  • The response is broadly supported, but the death count is slightly off.
  • Current sources report about 251,000 deaths in 2023, not 250,000 exactly, and they also identify stroke and cancers as major outcomes linked to chewing tobacco.
  • The claim is therefore directionally correct but numerically imprecise.

Claims checked

Chewing tobacco is linked to 250,000 deaths in a year.

Misleading96%
Recent reporting based on a study says chewing tobacco caused roughly 251,000 deaths in 2023, so 250,000 is a rounded approximation but not exact.

This claim may mislead readers without added context.

Chewing tobacco is a major cause of cancer.

Verified95%
The cited reporting says cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus were among the major causes of death and disability linked to chewing tobacco.

Chewing tobacco is a major cause of stroke.

Verified96%
The cited reporting says stroke was the leading cause of death and disability attributable to chewing tobacco.

What other AI think

The statement accurately reflects findings from a 2023 study published in The Lancet Global Health. The death toll (250,000 vs. 251,000) is essentially accurate, and chewing tobacco is indeed confirmed as a major cause of both stroke and cancer.

Why this verdict

  • The statement accurately reflects findings from a 2023 study published in The Lancet Global Health.
  • The death toll (250,000 vs.
  • 251,000) is essentially accurate, and chewing tobacco is indeed confirmed as a major cause of both stroke and cancer.

Claims checked

Chewing tobacco is linked to 250,000 deaths in a year

Verified95%
Recent 2023 data shows 251,000 deaths attributed to chewing tobacco globally, which rounds to approximately 250,000.

Chewing tobacco is a major cause of stroke

Verified95%
Multiple sources confirm stroke is a major health consequence, accounting for the largest share of chewing tobacco-related health loss globally.

Chewing tobacco is a major cause of cancer

Verified95%
Chewing tobacco causes multiple types of cancer including lip and oral cavity cancer, laryngeal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, and esophageal cancer.
The numerical claim matches recent Global Burden of Disease findings that estimate about 250,000 deaths yearly from chewing (smokeless) tobacco. Authoritative health agencies and studies also link smokeless tobacco to increased risks of cancers and to higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

Why this verdict

  • The numerical claim matches recent Global Burden of Disease findings that estimate about 250,000 deaths yearly from chewing (smokeless) tobacco.
  • Authoritative health agencies and studies also link smokeless tobacco to increased risks of cancers and to higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

Claims checked

Chewing tobacco is a major cause of stroke and cancer according to a study.

Verified90%
Multiple sources (WHO, CDC, IARC and cohort/GBD analyses) identify smokeless tobacco as a cause of oral and other cancers and as associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Chewing tobacco is linked to 250,000 deaths in a year.

Verified92%
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation / GBD 2023 analysis and a recent Lancet Global Health report estimate ≈251,000 global deaths in 2023 attributable to chewing tobacco, consistent with the claim.

Share this result

Try DoubleChecks