# Does the use of smokeless tobacco rid the body of worms? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 31, 2000, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-use-of-smokeless-tobacco-rid-the-body-of-worms/47930 "2000-12-31T19:56:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fletch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/919ad9/32.png) [@Fletch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fletch)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2000, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-use-of-smokeless-tobacco-rid-the-body-of-worms/47930/1 "2000-12-31T19:56:22Z")
[http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpinworm.html](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpinworm.html), addressed the issues of pinworms in humans, the percentage of persons with the malady and the method of entry. I have heard that people who either chew tobacco or use the smokeless tobacco do not have any worms because the tobacco kills the worms. I have also heard that if a person eats pumpkin seeds the body will be free of worms. I am not suggesting the use of chewing tobacco or smokeless tobacco to maintain a “wormless” body. The tobacco use would cause more harm to the person than the infestation of worms. Is this a folklore cure? ---
**Author:** ![Whammo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8dc957/32.png) [@Whammo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whammo)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2000, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-use-of-smokeless-tobacco-rid-the-body-of-worms/47930/2 "2000-12-31T20:30:34Z")
Trying to avoid a trip to the doctor? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Fletch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/919ad9/32.png) [@Fletch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fletch)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2000, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-use-of-smokeless-tobacco-rid-the-body-of-worms/47930/3 "2000-12-31T21:40:28Z")
Whammo, please read the entire OP, if you had you would have come across the statement that tobacco use is not encouraged. Sheesh… ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2000, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-use-of-smokeless-tobacco-rid-the-body-of-worms/47930/4 "2000-12-31T22:48:36Z")
no, tobacco will not kill worms, neither will pumpkin seeds. Qadgop, MD ---
**Author:** ![pythonzzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@pythonzzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pythonzzz)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2000, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-use-of-smokeless-tobacco-rid-the-body-of-worms/47930/5 "2000-12-31T23:24:25Z")
FYI Most parasites are species specific. Pinworms are passed from human to human - not from pets. Same with lice. Please call your physician with any questions(yes, folks DO call the vet regarding their child’s pinworm infections). A common source of pinworm infection comes from daycare centers. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2001, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-use-of-smokeless-tobacco-rid-the-body-of-worms/47930/6 "2001-01-01T04:34:52Z")
Stuffing a plug of chewing tobacco up the anus was considered a home remedy for worms in HORSES. Obviously there are probably some farmers out there who tried it for their own problems. I don’t know how well it worked, but even if it was 100% effective, it’s not the same as taking a chaw or some snuff. That’s not going to do anything. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2001, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-use-of-smokeless-tobacco-rid-the-body-of-worms/47930/7 "2001-01-01T06:35:10Z")
On Robert Earl Keen Jr.'s live album, he talks a little about his use of Copenhagen (a brand of chewing tobacco) before his song titled “Copenhagen,” and he says “I’ve been using it now for fifteen years and I’ve never had any trouble with worms or long relationships.” If you’re interested, here are the first verse and chorus from the song: I went to the movies with my little Mary Ann She said “please stay till Sunday” And she grabbed me by the can She laid a big one on me Surprised me with her tongue But her surprise was waiting there Between my cheek and gum! Copenhagen What a, what a flavor Copenhagen You can see it in my smile Copenhagen Do yourself a favor Chew… Copenhagen Drive them pretty girls wild.