Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US) chewing tobacco.

1901		Chicago Sun. Trib. Mag. 21 July n.p.: Will you have some of the eating tobacco? [HDAS].
1944		Chicago Daily News 4 Nov. 1/4: Eatin’ Tobacco Up 20 Per Cent on Nov. 8 [DA].
1949		Sat. Eve. Post 2 Apr. 79/3: If things are going well, he presents all hands with gifts of eating tobacco, apples [DA].
1963		in DARE.