 [ Symptoms ] does chewing tobacco increase the risk of atherosclerosis [ Disease ] yes like smoking chewing tobacco and snuff also boost the chances of getting atherosclerosis even secondhand smoke seems to raise risk smoking causes blood levels of carbon monoxide to go up which may in turn increase risk of damage to artery linings tobacco use also raises ldl bad cholesterol and lowers hdlgood cholesterol constricts arteries and further decreases blood flow to tissues and makes blood more likely to clot